The rainy season has arrived in Mozambique. After a drought-stricken couple of years, I can almost hear the sigh of relief as plants, animals and people are soaked to the core with torrential rain.
The excitement that comes with the first rains is almost contagious. The bull frogs start emerging from deep under, children enjoy a free shower, women busily attend to their rice shamba’s, disease is washed away and there is an explosion of insect activity.
The rainy season is always a welcomed relief. The October, November and December months are a relentless, disease festering few months in Mozambique. You can almost hear the earth begging for a bar of soap and bucket of water!
But, it would not be Africa if the rainy season did not come with her fair share of drama! Mozambique is well known for its extensive flooding, cyclones and cholera outbreaks. Just last week we had one of our first major storms of the season. Many of us have come to know and love those thunderous African storms with tumultuous black clouds that rumble and collide and that flash bolts of lightning in every direction. But for the local Mozambican, these storms can be treacherous and very often tragic.
Did you know that you can buy a bolt of lightning in Mozambique?! I’ve been told by a few Mozambicans that the witch doctors can do this for you if anyone becomes too much trouble in your life! For instance, a bolt of lightning can be purchased for the permanent elimination of a cheating spouse, or a thief, someone who owes you money or simply because they annoy you – I’m told at a reasonable price!
On a more serious note, tragedy did strike last week here in Mafambisse. Seven people were killed by lightning. 2 people were struck by lightning while taking a short cut across the golf course. A man and his 2 children were struck while hurrying home along the national road. And another 2 were struck while sitting in the shelter of their home, thinking they would be safe undercover. They were all killed within 20 minutes during one violent storm.
So naturally, I googled ‘ How to avoid being struck by lightning and called a little ‘life skills’ meeting with my staff as I often do!’
This is what I learned:
Lightning travels and will connect with the earth or ‘something’ by taking the easiest and most efficient route. So if you happen to be outdoors, or in a hut, or shack – listen up:
1. Do not light a fire. The smoke is a good conductor and lightning will travel down via the trail of smoke to the source. So if you are sitting around the fire as the people were in their hut in Mafambisse, you could be struck by lightning.
2. Stay well away from water and never shower, use a tap or bath during an electric storm.
3. Do not speak on the phone during a storm, including your cell phone.
4. Do not stand under a tree in a storm or near anything tall.
5. Do not stand near a window.
6. Remove all metals from your body including your bra with metal under wiring!
7. If you are caught in the outdoors during an electric storm– this is what to do: Crouch down with your head bent downwards and with only your feet making contact with the earth. Do not lie down. If you are struck by lightning, the lightning will most likely hit your back and will travel down to your feet and will hopefully miss your vital organs!
This will not guarantee your life; it will only improve your chances of survival during an electric storm!
This is just the beginning of our rainy season. I am sure much drama lies ahead as with every rainy season. Will there be flooding in our area, will there be another cholera outbreak and will we be hit with a cyclone? Let’s wait and see!
Categories: Africa, Mozambique
Interesting… Thanks for the tips, And you got awesome pictures!
Thank-you!
Great post, love the look. Was in Botswana & Zim when the rains arrived a couple years ago. The incredible contrast in the Kalahari! And I don’t think it had really gotten going strong yet. But from so dry and hot, to stormy, that’s as profound a change in season as I’ve experienced anywhere. And the dust and sand that whipped up ahead of the storms. Have a great shot of a wildebeest facing one of those, just before he turned tail and made a run for it. Africa! Enjoy!
Sounds awesome and you’re quite right in that it’s a sudden and often a dramatic climate change. A week ago, there were flash floods in the lower lying areas of Beira, with houses over a metre deep in water. This week, the sun is scorching and we’re begging for the rain again! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
So much love for our African people here in Colombia, they are a big part of our culture. Beautiful pictures!!
Glad to hear it and thank-you!
Great series – totally evocative.
Thank-you!
Hi I have nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award because you inspire me with your amazing photos and you well written stories about Africa. Thanks so much and keep em coming! Feel free to retrieve it if you like to play aThanks for doing such great work. http://mzzoomer.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/very-inspiring-blog-award-i-am-honoured/ Pam
Wow, thank-you Mz Zoomer! I would love to join you as a nominee for the Inspiring Blog award. What a lovely surprise!
I am so pleased. You definitely deserve it. I am so looking forward to seeing more of your posts. Don’t forget to check out the other nominees, I think you might enjoy them too. Cheers.
Thanks, I most certainly will!
http://tylersturgeonis.wordpress.com
Loved the pictures. Check out some of my pictures at http://www.inspiringthroughthelens.com
I never knew these kinds of skills existed. I’ve also never heard of the intensity of an electric storm and how bad it could be.
Reblogged this on The Basics of Photography and commented:
I came across this post. I figured it was a could read and the photos are quite inspirational.
makes me miss living in Africa! …thanks for sharing….love your photos!
Thanks Susan!
Beautiful pictures!
Thank-you!
Beautiful – puts this on my ‘must go’ list – thanks!
thank you 🙂
Amazing and splendid! You have pumped in a quantum of knowldege and banished unimaginable quantity of ignorance by this simple gesture. i am impressed. Bravo!
Thank-you Canice, kind words 🙂
This is awesome. As kids, we were told not to wear black when it is the lightning storm. A black cat is likely to get hit by a bolt.
Hhhhmm, now that is one I have not heard, interesting! I wonder what’s behind it? Suspicion or some whacky scientific fact?!
Beautiful!
Thank-you!
Reblogged this on non prescription colored contacts and commented:
really sad these things happen.
Interesting to hear about this, how tragic that all those people were killed by lightning. I shall try and remember your tips in case I need them some day!
http://literarylydi.wordpress.com
And unfortunately, very common in these parts. Thanks for reading.
Inspiring.. thanks for sharing..
Reblogged this on Wishful Thinking : Within a Creative Mind and commented:
I love the beautiful photo’s on this blog and that I get to see inside someone’s life living in South Africa. Everyone go check it out !
Awesome pics! 😀
Thanks!
Thank u for sharing that wonderful moments with us.
🙂