The international conference on lightning has suggested that physical infrastructure being reconstructed after the earthquake must be equipped with lightning protection system.

During the two-day conference, which concluded in Kathmandu on Friday, discussions on ways to avoid and minimize the damage caused to human life and property by lightning were held.

The conference, organised by Lightning and Atmospheric Research Centre Nepal with the support from the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, was attended by scientists. The participants suggested that people should stay inside house during thunderstorms to lightning strike.

People should not climb tree, hide themselves in caves and use umbrella and must get out of swimming polls as soon as people during thunderstorms, said the scientists.

They also stressed on the need of launching public awareness programmes about the hazards of lightning and ways to remain safe.

A total of 13 working papers were presented during the conference which was attended by 40 scientists from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Shreeram Sharma, chairman of the Lightning and Atmospheric Research Centre Nepal, said a comprehensive study on lightning at different places of the country must be conducted.