Lightning related deaths increasing

1 May 2011 11:08 am

The number of lightning related deaths reported during the initial months of this year indicates a sharp increase in comparison to the previous years, the Meteorological Department said.

Duty Meteorologist Gayana Hendawitharana told Daily Mirror online that only 33 lightning related deaths were reported during the whole of last year whereas this year during the period of January – April a total of 22 deaths have been reported.

“The evening thunder shower will continue to affect most parts of the country throughout this week as well and the Western province as well as Galle and Matara could expect thunder showers in the mornings and afternoons as well,” she added. (Lakna Paranamanna)