COLOMBO, Oct 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology, yesterday, issued an alert for thundershowers and severe lightning in several parts of the country.
The department warned that, thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning will likely occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces, as well as, the Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa and Ampara districts, in the coming days.
The department urged the public to take all adequate precautions, to minimise possible damages caused by the thundershowers and lightning.
Safety measures include seeking shelter indoors, staying clear of open areas, refraining from using wired telephones and electrical appliances, and avoiding open vehicles like bicycles and boats, it said.
A 2021 study conducted by the University of Colombo said that, between 1974 and 2019, lightning killed 549 people and injured 498 in Sri Lanka.– NNN-XINHUA
