COLOMBO, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Met Department, on Sunday, issued a severe lightning warning for four provinces as the country experiences heavy rains.
Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district, the Met Department said.
The department requested that people take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
The public was further requested to seek shelter, preferably indoors and never stay under trees, and to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Other preventive measures included avoiding using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms, refraining from using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats, and staying aware of fallen trees and power lines.
Showers or thundershowers will occur in many parts of the country next Monday, the Met Department added. ■
