Severe lightning advisory for 12 districts

Colombo, March 25 (Daily Mirror) - An advisory for severe lightning was issued today for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva Provinces, as well as the Ampara and Nuwara Eliya districts, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department announced.

They stated that a high-alert warning for lightning has been issued for the districts of Gampaha, Kegalle, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Ampara, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Moneragala, Galle, Matara and Hambantota. 

A moderate-level lightning warning was issued for the districts of Trincomalee, Puttalam, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala, Matale, Batticaloa and Kandy.

The public is advised to take necessary precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity.

Accordingly, the department advises people to seek shelter indoors whenever possible and to avoid taking cover under trees. People should also avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, and bodies of water during thunderstorms. The use of wired telephones and connected electrical appliances during thunderstorms should be avoided, as well as open vehicles such as bicycles, tractors, and boats.