The rainy season can be beautiful, bringing life to the environment and making everything cosy, and yet, it can also be treacherous as it can lead to many hazards such as flooding, landslides, road accidents, electricity accidents and cause high risk to the living. 

Due to the unexpected weather in Sri Lanka these days, the Met Department recently issued a RED ALERT, a warning against the heavy rainfall along with a strong wind which has been causing havoc and disruption in our lives.

To keep yourself and your loved ones against these conditions during the rainy season, here are some safety precautions you can take:

In areas of flooding and landslides 
Flooding damages buildings and infrastructure causes loss of crops and risks the lives of humans as well as animals. As many lives are stolen by floods, people living in flood-prone areas such as river banks, must evacuate to safer locations when water level begins to rise and threaten to inundate surrounding areas. 

Heavy rain along with strong water currents can pull people, especially young children into the tide, which could become fatal.

Also, avoid wading through flooded areas, as the water carries many bacteria that cause viral diseases. Another issue to be aware of is the crocodiles and snakes that may lurk beneath the flood waters. These creatures may turn up in unexpected places as they tend to move about in search of calmer waters.

On the road
Another major issue during the rainy season is the increased rate of road accidents, as drivers tend to lose control of their vehicles on slippery roads. Therefore, driving slowly and carefully is mandatory.

Remember to turn on the lights of your vehicle as heavy rains hamper your visibility as well as others, making it difficult for you and other drivers to see the road and oncoming vehicles. 

Do not drive through flooded roads as it not only causes damage to your vehicle but also risks your life. 

Avoid walking in the rain. The pools of water on the road may seem clear to you but it contains many bacteria which can make you sick. If you are going out, make sure you are well covered, carry an umbrella or wear a raincoat.

In general, try to stay indoors in these extreme weather conditions, especially avoiding landslide or flood-prone areas. 

Electrical hazards
You need to make sure to avoid walking near electric poles or fallen power lines as water accumulates around the electric poles due to the heavy rain and stepping on this water, may electrocute you. 

Also wear shoes with rubber soles, when you happen to walk on water-logged roads, to break the circuit.
When at home, avoid using electronic devices, and unplug home appliances during heavy thunderstorms to prevent short circuits and potential fires. 

Also, make sure to avoid standing in open spaces, touching metallic objects or isolated objects and seeking shelter beneath a tree during thunderstorms to avoid getting struck by lightning, which would be fatal. 

Spread of diseases

Taking care of your health during the rainy season is really important to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the spread of diseases. 

An important step to take here is to wash your hands. This will prevent you from getting sick and maintain your hygiene. 

Also, avoid contact with flood water, especially if you have wounds or scratches, as flood water carries many bacteria leading to various viral diseases such as leptospirosis, typhoid, cholera, diarrhoeal diseases, infections etc. 

Make sure to boil your drinking water and minimize eating raw vegetables and fruits to stay safe as most of these diseases spread through contaminated food and water.

Another important safety precaution to take is to wear mosquito repellent, as the spread of mosquito-borne diseases during the rainy season is extremely high.

Additionally, cleaning roof gutters and emptying containers in order to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water which may become breeding sites for mosquitos is important. 

Also, ensure you carry extra clothes in case you get wet on your daily commute to work and back. You can change into dry clothes as staying wet and cold may affect your immune system putting you at an increased risk of catching a cold or flu. If you catch a cold, take medications to manage the symptoms, and make sure to eat and drink healthy to build your immune system to fight infections and to keep you safe and healthy during this time period.

You can ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones by taking the appropriate safety measures and by staying alert.