Amber warning for severe lightning in 22 districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued an amber-level warning for severe lightning across much of Sri Lanka, in force from 1 pm today (November 9) until 1 am tomorrow (November 10).

The warning applies to all divisional secretariat divisions in 22 districts: Anuradhapura, Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kilinochchi, Kurunegala, Mannar, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Mullaitivu, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Trincomalee and Vavuniya, as well as Padiyatalawa in Ampara, Korale Pattu in Batticaloa and several areas of Hambantota. It is a separate advisory from the one issued on November 7.

The department warned of localised flooding in low-lying areas, difficult travel from poor visibility, traffic disruption and interruptions to essential services, and said landslides and rockfalls are possible in hazard-prone areas.

The public is advised to follow official weather bulletins along with warnings from the Irrigation Department and the National Building Research Organisation, to stay indoors during thundershowers, and to avoid open fields, tall trees and metal structures during lightning.

UPDATE: The advisory has since been expanded to cover 25 districts today, up from the 22 listed above. The public is urged to take the flood risk to life seriously, expect disruption to transport and utility services, and watch for landslides and rockfalls in hazard-prone areas. Residents in flood- and landslide-prone locations should be ready to evacuate if advised, follow Irrigation Department flood warnings and NBRO landslide warnings, and note that reservoir spillways are being monitored. Safe shelters are available, including facilities suitable for persons with disabilities; contact your local disaster management centre for shelter locations and assistance.