The Department of Meteorology has issued a severe lightning advisory for the North-western, Western, Southern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces today(18).

The advisory, which is effective until 11.30 p.m., includes red alerts for 10 districts and amber alerts for 13 districts.

The Met Department warned of temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers and requested the public to take adequate precautions to minimise potential damage from lightning activity.