Red alert on severe lightning in several districts: Met Dept.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 11 districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied by lightning are likely in several places in Northern, North-Central, Uva and Eastern provinces.

The Met department said there could be strong winds during thundershowers.

Therefore, the general public are cautioned to take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves against the squall and lightning, the Department said.

Accordingly, the 11 districts which are named as follows: Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Badulla, Ampara and Monaragala, they said.

The Meteorology Department cautioned people not to seek shelter under trees but to stay indoors.

Also the dept. requests people to avoid loitering in open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, playgrounds and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

Avoid using wired telephones and disconnect electric appliances during thunderstorms and avoid travelling in open vehicles, such as bicycles, trailers hauled by tractors, boats etc.

Beware of fallen trees and power lines, the department advised. (Chaturanga Samarawickama)