Red alert issued for 14 districts over severe lightning: Met Dept.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 14 districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

They said fairly heavy rainfalls about 150 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and Heavy rainfalls above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western, Southern and North-western provinces. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, they said.

Accordingly, the 14 districts including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kurunegala, Kandy,  Gampaha, Kegalla Colombo, Nuwara-Eliya, Badulla, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara have been alerted over the weather conditions.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize the damage caused by lightning activity.

The Meteorology Department advised people to seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. They also advised avoiding open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, playgrounds 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. Beware of fallen trees and power lines, the Met. Dept said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)