The Department of Meteorology’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre issued a severe-lightning advisory on Sunday valid from noon to 11.30 pm, warning of thundershowers with severe lightning across the North Central, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces, as well as in the Badulla, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts.
The morning weather forecast had earlier flagged showers or thundershowers across the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central and Eastern provinces and in Badulla, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm, with fairly heavy falls above 50 mm likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Colombo, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts.
Director General of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake said cloud formations during this inter-monsoonal period generate frequent and intense lightning, and that the possibility of strong strikes remains high. The southwest monsoon is expected to set in after May 25, when more consistent wind patterns reduce the daily thunderstorm risk.
Karunanayake urged the public to remain indoors during lightning, unplug electrical appliances, avoid open paddy fields and tea estates, and not shelter under tall trees. The use of wired telephones, bicycles, tractors and boats during thunderstorms was also discouraged. He noted that lightning currents can travel through concrete slabs but that properly grounded structures generally do not pose a risk.
The advisory follows the morning death of a 26-year-old garment worker struck by lightning at Habaraduwa in the Galle district, and is the latest weather warning ahead of the southwest monsoon onset.
