Heavy rain, severe lightning warning issued for several areas

The Daily Mirror reported that heavy rainfall had flooded several roads in Colombo. The same report said adverse weather was expected to persist in parts of Sri Lanka.

The Department of Meteorology issued a severe-lightning advisory at 11 a.m. on October 15, valid until 1 a.m. on October 16, according to Rupavahini News and Newswire. The locations named are the North Central, Eastern, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces, along with Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Gampaha, Colombo and Kurunegala districts. Thunderstorms with severe lightning were considered more likely in those areas during the afternoon or evening.

The department warned that brief periods of strong local winds could accompany thunderstorms. It urged people to take safety measures to reduce lightning-related hazards; Newswire also said residents in affected areas were advised to stay alert during the warning period.

Separate forecast headlines reported showers or thunderstorms in much of the island after 1 p.m. Newswire’s headline also forecast rainfall exceeding 75 millimetres in some areas, but the supplied teaser gave no locations or additional timing for that prediction.