We report here for the first time about the registration of an extraordinary high flux of low-energy neutrons generated during thunderstorms. The measured neutron count rate enhancements are directly connected with thunderstorm discharges. The low-energy neutron flux value obtained in our work is a challenge for the photonuclear channel of neutron generation in thunderstorm: the estimated value of the needed high-energy γ-ray flux is about 3 orders of magnitude higher than that one observed.

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The existence of a new phenomenagiant electron-gamma bursts is established. The bursts are generated in thunderclouds as a result of the combined action of runaway breakdown and extensive atmosphere showers (RB-EAS). The experiments were fulfilled at the Tien Shan Mountain Scientific Station using EAS-Radio installation. This specially constructed installation consists of a wide spread EAS trigger array and a high time resolution radiointerferometer.

We have made an experimental check of an influence caused by external background of slow thermal neutrons on the temporal distribution of the signals from the standard NM64 supermonitor used as a detector of hadron component of extensive air showers with the energy above 1015 eV. Special attention in our study was paid to the possible connection of this background with the anomalously (up to a few milliseconds) delayed signals from the neutron monitor which were detected when the shower cores passed in its close vicinity. It has been found that in spite of the long, up to tens of milliseconds, presence of thermal neutrons nearby the shower axis, these external neutrons do not have any effect on the temporal behaviour of the neutrons diffusing inside the monitor as well as on the distribution of gamma-radiation accompanying the absorption of the latter.

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