# Do not stand in open during lightning, Tamil Nadu power dept warns 2026-10-22T01:20:22+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Tamil Nadu electricity department has issued a set of monsoon safety guidelines for the public. People should not stand in open places, under trees, or near windows during lightning and thunder. They must switch off electrical appliances and wired phones, avoid operating equipment with moist hands, and stay away from waterlogged areas near pillar boxes and switchboards. Residents who see a snapped conductor should alert the electricity board and neighbours, and stay clear. The department advised seeking shelter in a large building or a metal-topped vehicle such as a car or bus. If no shelter is available, a low spot away from power lines, poles and metal fences is safer. Switch and plug sockets should be installed at an inaccessible height and away from children, and not inside bathrooms. Livestock must not be tied to electric poles. Windows near plug points must be kept closed during showers. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The advisory is a standard seasonal precaution, but its detail reflects a recurring problem: during Chennai's monsoon, electrocution and lightning deaths spike. The department's request to inform the board about snapped conductors places the burden on residents, independent of utility infrastructure response times. The instruction to move to metal-topped vehicles or a low spot away from trees covers the most common fatal scenarios. No date is given for the advisory's expiry, so it remains active for the rest of the monsoon season. The press note does not mention any penalties or emergency contact numbers, leaving implementation voluntary. ## Coverage - deccanchronicle.com Led with a direct safety warning, no government criticism This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Chennai, monsoon safety, Tamil Nadu Electricity Department Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/do-not-stand-in-open-during-lightning-tamil-nadu-power-dept-warns/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/do-not-stand-in-open-during-lightning-tamil-nadu-power-dept-warns/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/