The Department of Meteorology has issued an amber-level advisory warning of severe lightning in several areas across Sri Lanka, effective from 1.00 p.m. today (03).
According to the department’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in several areas, including parts of the Northern, North Central, Eastern, Central, Uva, North Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
The warning covers selected areas in the Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kegalle, Kilinochchi, Kurunegala, Monaragala, Mullaitivu, Nuwara Eliya and Vavuniya districts.
It also applies to all Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Badulla, Kandy, Matale, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts.
The advisory, issued at 12.49 p.m. today, remains valid until 1.00 a.m. tomorrow (04).
The Meteorology Department warned that severe lightning could cause damage to infrastructure and property, disrupt outdoor activities and result in localised electrical and electronic interference.
The public has been advised to seek shelter indoors during thunderstorms and avoid taking shelter under trees.
People have also been urged to avoid open areas, including paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies, as well as using wired telephones, connected electrical appliances and open vehicles such as bicycles, tractors and boats during thunderstorms.
The department further advised the public to remain cautious of fallen trees and power lines and contact local disaster management authorities in the event of an emergency. (Newswire)