Colombo, 06 September 2026 – The Department of Meteorology, through its Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, has issued an ‘Amber’ advisory for severe lightning, urging residents in the Eastern and Uva provinces, along with Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts, to take immediate precautions. The advisory, valid until 11:30 PM tonight, indicates a high likelihood of thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning activity.
Advisory Details and Affected Regions
Issued at 11:30 AM on September 6th, 2026, bulletin No: 01 LLA/26/09/06/01 highlights the potential for dangerous weather conditions across specific parts of the island. An ‘Amber’ alert signifies that the public should ‘Be Prepared’ for impending hazards, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate risks.
The specific areas under this advisory include:
- Eastern Province
- Uva Province
- Polonnaruwa District
- Mullaittivu District
Nature of the Threat
According to the Department of Meteorology, these regions are expected to experience thundershowers at several places during the evening or night. A significant concern is the increased likelihood of severe lightning during these periods. Furthermore, localized strong winds may also accompany the thundershowers, posing additional risks such as fallen trees and power lines. The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
Essential Safety Precautions
To minimize damages and ensure public safety, the Department of Meteorology strongly advises the following actions for residents in the affected areas:
- Seek shelter, preferably indoors, and never under trees, especially during lightning and thunderstorms.
- Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
- Refrain from using wired telephones and connected electrical appliances during thunderstorms.
- Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors, and boats.
- Be aware of potential fallen trees and power lines that may result from strong winds.
- For emergency assistance, contact the local disaster management authorities.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay updated with the latest weather information and follow these safety guidelines diligently to protect themselves and their property. The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre continues to monitor the situation closely.
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