In the heart of the Idiofa territory, in the province of Kwilu, lightning has become an ever-present threat, spreading terror among the inhabitants. In the space of just two weeks, eight people have tragically lost their lives, struck by lightning during violent downpours. Faced with this series of recurring tragedies, the local population lives in fear and uncertainty, wondering who will be the next to fall under the electric clutches of this natural scourge.
In an attempt to address this issue, an expanded security meeting was held earlier this week in Idiofa, chaired by the coordinator of the new local civil society, Arsène Kasiama. During this meeting, the authorities and the inhabitants considered solutions to counter this devastating phenomenon. Among the measures envisaged, the installation of lightning rods was mentioned as a possible response to this growing threat.
Arsène Kasiama’s words perfectly sum up the mood in Idiofa: “When it rains, we ask ourselves: Whose turn is it? Who is going to die this time? We met on Tuesday, but yesterday, another lady died. We said to ourselves: What is it after all? We discussed the idea of lightning rods. If we can install them here and there to try to stop this situation.” These words reflect the distress and urgency felt by the community in the face of these repeated tragedies.
This deadly threat hanging over Idiofa is a call to action and prevention. Lightning rods, lightning protection devices, could represent a hope of safety for the inhabitants. It is imperative to act quickly to put these protective measures in place and thus prevent future unnecessary human losses.
In short, the situation in Idiofa is alarming and requires an immediate and concerted response. The installation of lightning rods could save lives and provide essential protection to the people of this region. It is time to act to prevent further tragedies and allow the community to regain some semblance of security and serenity in the face of the devastating whims of nature.