On Thursday, November 9, the Department of Meteorology issued a “Amber” advisory for strong lightning and thundershowers in a few different areas of the island.
The prediction indicates that there will be a number of locations in the Western, Central, North-central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and North-western provinces as well as the districts of Ampara, Vavuniya, and Mannar where thundershowers with intense lighting are expected to occur.
The department issued a warning that high gusts could occasionally be localised during thundershowers.
The general population is urged to adopt the following measures, among others, to reduce the harm that lightning activity may cause:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations 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
• For emergency assistance contact local disaster management authorities
