An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Uva provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

The advisory issued at noon today (14) will be in effect until 11.00 p.m.

Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Uva provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts this afternoon.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, it added.

The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.