Advisory issued for severe lightning

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology issued advisories warning of severe lightning in several parts of the country. The reports describe advisories issued on different dates: Rupavahini News says one was released at 11 a.m. on the 15th and remained valid until 1 a.m. on the 16th, while Newswire reports another issued at 11:30 a.m. on the 17th, valid until 11:30 p.m. that day.

The areas named in the reports include the North-Central, Eastern, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces. Daily Mirror and Ada Derana’s Tamil-language report also list Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Gampaha, Colombo and Kurunegala districts. Newswire’s account of the later advisory says it covered the Western province as well as the other five provinces and Mullaitivu district.

Newswire reported that red alerts applied to 16 districts and amber alerts to nine, and that thunderstorms could bring temporary, localised strong winds. It advised people to shelter indoors, avoid exposed areas and water, and not use wired phones or connected electrical appliances during storms. It also cautioned against travelling in open vehicles, including bicycles, tractors and boats, and urged care around fallen trees and power lines. Emergencies should be reported to local disaster-management authorities.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.