Advisory issued for severe lightening

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in several provinces.

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces, the department stated. 

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, it added.

Accordingly, the general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The general public has also been requested to seek shelter, preferably indoors, to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms,  refrain from using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms, open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats, etc., and also to beware of fallen trees and power lines. 

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