Advisory issued for severe lightning in parts of the island

The Department of Meteorology has issued an ‘Amber’ level advisory for severe lightning in parts of the island.

Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and in Kandy and Matale districts during the evening or night, the Met. Department said.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity, it added.

Furthermore, the Department of Meteorology advises the people to seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees, avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms, avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms, avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc., beware of fallen trees and power lines and for emergency assistance to contact the local disaster management authorities.