Increase in Thunder and Lightning activities (Bakmaha Akunu) during April month. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

A person (34) dead following a Lightning Strike in Malimbada Akula area on April 6. #SriLanka to experience more lightning activities (#Bakmaha Akunu) next few days.

Lightning ⚡ safety tips.
1️⃣ Seek shelter (indoors)
2️⃣ Avoid using wired telephones
3️⃣ Avoid open areas
4️⃣ Avoid using open vehicles
5️⃣ Do not swim

Lightning Safety Tips Bakmaha Akunu
Increase in Thunder and Lightning activities (Bakmaha Akunu) during April month

Thundershowers Alert!

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

1. Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

2. Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

3. Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

4. Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

5. Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

6. For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Lightning is one of the oldest observed natural phenomena on earth. An average of 40 people dies every year due to lightning strikes in Sri Lanka. Persons who engage in outdoor activities such as farmers, heavy machinery operators and players are more vulnerable for lightning strikes.

Source – Community Base Vulnerability Mapping for Lightning Strikes in Sri Lanka / K.H.M.S. Premalal and Nuwan Kumarasinghe Department of Meteorology