A Little Atmospheric Disturbance

Day 19 - This is the second and final month of the north-east monsoon on this coast of Sri Lanka. During most afternoons or evenings a storm pops up. Sometimes this is accompanied by a clap of thunder and a flash so close it seems as if it's striking one's back molar. At other times, slow, rolling thunder roars over the landscape and rattles all objects not tied down.



Of course for decades all home electrical systems have been grounded. Often a close one will trip the circuit breaker for the whole house. That is good because it saves any electrical appliances which are still plugged in. This breaker doesn't reset, so it can be a problem for things in the fridge if one's away for an extended period.

I remember when first coming to Sri Lanka, I wondered why everybody unplugged things at the first hint of a coming thunderstorm. After witnessing tropical lightning for the first time, I was in awe. It makes anything I ever saw at home pale in comparison.