Met. Dept. predicts severe lightning in seven provinces

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka's weather department has predicted that severe lightning could be experienced in seven provinces until 10 pm on Saturday. This situation can exist in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Southern, Uva and North-central provinces and the districts of Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vauniya, the meteorological department said. The department, in an advisory, noted that upto four inches of rainfall could be experienced in several other parts of the country this evening. Accordingly, the general public has been advised to take the necessary precautions to minimize the damages that could be caused due to lightning. Heavy winds recently battered the Puttalam district, some 140 kilometres from capital Colombo, partial damaging at least 245 homes in the area.