Sri Lanka, March 23 -- The Meteorology Department has issued a warning for residents of Sabaragamuwa Province and the Galle and Matara districts following forecasts of thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning after 1.00 p.m. today (23).

The Department has cautioned that temporary localized strong winds may also occur during the thunderstorms, urging the public to take necessary precautions to minimize damage from lightning activity.

Safety measures recommended include:

Seeking shelter indoors and avoiding standing under trees. Avoiding open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, and open water bodies. Not using wired telephones or connected electrical appliances. Avoiding open vehicles such as bicycles, tractors, and boats....