Advisory issued for evening thundershowers and severe lightning

The Department of Meteorology, issuing a weather advisory, has said that thundershowers and severe lightning are expected in parts of the island through the remainder of the day.

Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Northern and North-western provinces and Monaragala District.

The department is also forecasting temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

Members of the public are advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The advisory states that the risk level is “High” in the aforementioned areas and urges the public to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

The general public is further requested to avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms and to also avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors, boats etc. and to beware of fallen trees and power lines.

For emergency assistance, the public is requested to contact local disaster management authorities.