A 26-year-old woman has died and a second was injured after lightning struck a house in the Kokwatta area of the Habaraduwa Police Division early Sunday, police said.
Both women were employees of a local garment factory and were inside the residence when the strike occurred during adverse weather conditions. They were admitted to hospital, where one of the victims succumbed to her injuries. The second woman has been transferred to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle for further treatment.
The deceased has been identified as a resident of Kokwatta, Habaraduwa. Habaraduwa Police are continuing investigations.
The incident comes as the Department of Meteorology’s heat advisory for 17 districts remains in force and a severe-lightning warning has been issued through 11.30 pm across multiple provinces.
