Severe Lightning Warning For All Provinces

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber Advisory for Severe Lightning for all provinces of Sri Lanka, warning of thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning activity.

The advisory was issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre and will remain valid until 11.00 p.m. tonight.

According to the Department of Meteorology, thundershowers with severe lightning are likely to occur in most parts of the island after 10.00 p.m. There may also be temporary, localized strong winds during thundershowers.

The public has been urged to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity.

The department advises people to seek shelter, preferably indoors, and avoid staying under trees. People are also requested to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

Additionally, the advisory urges the public not to use wired telephones or connected electrical appliances during thunderstorms and to avoid traveling in open vehicles such as bicycles, tractors, and boats. The public is also cautioned to be aware of falling trees and power lines.

For emergency assistance, the Department of Meteorology advises contacting local disaster management authorities.