Lightning alert for Eastern areas

Newswire reports that the Department of Meteorology’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre issued its advisory at 11.30 a.m. on the 28th. The department placed Monaragala, Ampara and Batticaloa under red alerts, citing likely thundershowers with severe lightning, and issued amber-level warnings for 22 other districts. Daily Mirror reports a severe-lightning warning for parts of Monaragala, Ampara and Batticaloa, while Newsfirst (සිංහල) and Ada Derana (தமிழ்) report warnings covering the Uva area or province alongside Ampara and Batticaloa.

Newswire reports that the department said thunderstorms might bring brief periods of strong wind and urged people to guard against lightning. It advised moving indoors, keeping clear of trees and exposed locations—including fields, plantations and open water—and avoiding wired phones, electrical devices connected to power, and uncovered vehicles such as bicycles, tractors and boats.

Newswire reports that people were told to look out for trees or electrical lines brought down by storms and to seek help from local disaster-management officials if an emergency arose. The advisory was due to expire at 11.30 p.m. on the 28th.