Amidst hot weather, residents of Central Russia often seek refuge near bodies of water, which, however, can pose a serious danger. This article will explore expert opinions on the recent increase in lightning strikes and analyze whether common rubber footwear, such as flip-flops, can offer protection against a deadly strike on the beach.
A recent tragedy in the Tula region on July 14 garnered widespread attention: during a thunderstorm at a body of water, three people, including a child, died, and four were injured. On the same day, lightning strikes caused fires in private homes in Kuntsevo (Moscow) and Istra (Moscow Oblast).
The incident occurred at the private beach of “Shakhtyor” guesthouse in Aleksin district, Tula region. Despite forecasters` warnings of an approaching thunderstorm and hail, people continued to relax. As a result of a lightning strike, reportedly into the water or wet sand, two elderly Moscow residents and a 13-year-old local teenager died. Yury Zaitsev, chief editor of TSN 24, commented on the situation for Business FM:
“Our source in law enforcement stated that people were in the water during the bad weather. However, there is also a version that they were on wet sand. Officially, no one is yet stating exactly where the people were. The prosecutor`s office has launched an investigation to assess the organization of leisure. The Ministry of Health reported that two injured individuals received on-site assistance, and two were hospitalized. One woman, to my knowledge, is in serious condition, possibly already transferred to the regional hospital; the other`s condition is moderately severe.”
Yury Zaitsev, Chief Editor of TSN 24
According to reports, survivors of the lightning strike might have been wearing rubber flip-flops, while the deceased were barefoot. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, whereas rubber is a good insulator. Experts warn that a powerful lightning strike into water can kill or stun living creatures within a radius of up to one hundred meters. A swimmer is not only vulnerable but also effectively attracts the charge by rising above the water`s surface. Beaches also pose a significant danger due to their open nature and wet ground. The radius and intensity of a lightning strike in such an environment depend on numerous factors. Honored Rescuer of the Russian Federation, member of the Public Chamber of Moscow Oblast, Sergey Shchetinin, further explains:
— Everything depends on the discharge`s strength, the lightning`s power, the sand`s moisture and composition, the soil beneath the sand, the amount of water, and the presence of underground sources or streams.
— Can rubber flip-flops protect you from lightning?
— Possibly. It depends on the type, thickness, and material of the flip-flops, whether they were wet, if the material had punctures or small holes, or if there were pebbles. Generally, a person wearing rubber footwear like galoshes, rubber boots, or certain slippers is less susceptible to electric shock or lightning.
In recent years, against the backdrop of climate change, Russia has experienced a notable increase in the intensity of downpours and hail. Regarding lightning activity, according to Alexander Chernokulsky, Deputy Director of the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the overall statistics have not changed significantly, but an increase in lightning strikes has been observed in northern regions:
“The number of lightning strikes in Russia shows varied trends. A particularly noticeable increase is observed in northern, subpolar, and polar regions, where a statistically significant rise in ground lightning strikes is evident. In the southern parts of the country, changes are less pronounced. While we don`t yet see radical shifts, an increase in dangerous meteorological phenomena, primarily heavy rains and large hail, is projected due to climate change. The question of lightning activity remains open: some studies indicate its increase, while others suggest less significant changes. We continue to monitor the situation, as they say.”
Alexander Chernokulsky, Deputy Director of the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MCHS) once again urges those relaxing by bodies of water to exercise caution, emphasizing the impermissibility of combining swimming with alcohol and the necessity of using only designated swimming areas.
According to the MCHS, 17 people died in bodies of water in the Moscow Oblast alone last weekend. Additionally, nine deaths were reported in the Republic of Bashkortostan, and seven each in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth