Lightning alert for Eastern areas

Newswire reports that the Department of Meteorology issued a severe-lightning advisory at 11.30 a.m. on the 29th, with red alerts for Ampara, Batticaloa and Hambantota and amber advisories for 22 other districts. The advisory was due to remain in effect until 11.30 p.m. that day.

Daily Mirror reports a warning of thundershowers with severe lightning in parts of Monaragala, Ampara and Batticaloa. Hiru News and Ada Derana (සිංහල) also identify those three districts in their headlines, while Ada Derana (தமிழ்) reports an alert covering Uva Province and Ampara, Batticaloa and Hambantota. Newsfirst (සිංහල) reports that showers or thundershowers could occur in a few places in Uva Province, Batticaloa and Ampara during the afternoon.

Newswire reports that temporary, localised strong winds may occur during thunderstorms. It says the department advised people to take shelter indoors, avoid trees and open locations such as fields, plantations and water bodies, and not use wired phones, connected electrical appliances or open vehicles including bicycles, tractors and boats. It also advised caution around fallen trees and power lines and recommended contacting local disaster-management authorities in emergencies.