Sri Lanka's weather agency has issued severe lightning warnings covering 25 districts across the island as intense afternoon thundershowers sweep through multiple provinces.
The Department of Meteorology declared red alerts for 10 districts and amber alerts for 15 others on Thursday morning, warning that hazardous atmospheric conditions accompanied by strong localized winds will persist overnight until early Friday.
Safety guidelines
Forecasters expect heavy thundershowers and widespread lightning across the Central, Eastern, and Uva provinces, as well as the Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts.
Met Department officials warned that severe lightning poses immediate risks to life and infrastructure, urging the public to take preventative safety measures.
Residents in affected areas are advised to remain indoors during storms and explicitly avoid taking refuge under trees.
Outdoor workers, farmers, and fisherfolk have been cautioned against remaining in exposed environments, such as paddy fields, tea estates, or open water bodies.
Authorities also advised against using wired telephones, operating connected electrical appliances, or travelling in open vehicles including bicycles, tractors, and boats.
Hazard risks
The weather advisory highlighted hazards from localized high winds, which could trigger falling trees and down power lines.
Disaster management teams have been placed on standby across the affected districts to respond to severe weather incidents.
Members of the public requiring emergency assistance have been instructed to contact their local disaster management authorities immediately.
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