Archives

More lightning, gusty winds

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The Met Department warns people with large trees in their compounds to either get rid of them completely or cut down over hanging branches which may pose a threat to their residences and road users during the heavy gusts which are expected in most parts of the country in the coming days.

Tornadoes and strong winds may occur in the country amidst the Inter-Monsoon season now experienced and the present weather condition will continue till the second week of May, according to a spokesman of the Met Department.

Rains accompanied by thunder showers will also continue till the end of April and there will be atmospheric changes raising the humidity levels both day and night, the spokesman said.

He said, convective clouds (Cumulonimbus) with a base of 500m - 10 km may also develop in many parts in the country during this period and as a result, there may occur strong winds and tornadoes.

The Met Department also advises people to be careful about lightning during this period. Lightning activity over Sri Lanka shows peaks during two Inter-Monsoons, March-April and October-November.

It has been noticed that a number of lives are lost in thunderstorms mainly due to the lack of taking necessary precautionary steps, the spokesman added.

Lightning damages result in four different ways:

(a) Direct hit -

Lightning flash descending from a cloud hits an object directly.

(b) Contact potential -

Shock occurs when there is contact with an object like a tree, building or a conducting wire that acts as a part of a conductor of a lightning current.

(c) Side flash -

Shock occurs when one is close to an object like a tree, building or a conducting wire that acts as a part of a conductor of a lightning current.

(d) Step voltage -

Voltage difference between feet resulted by a current spreading from a point of a lightning strike on the ground.

It is beyond our control to stop lightning. But carefulness in taking precautionary steps may reduce the hazards.

The weather's forecast for today states that there will be scattered showers or thundershowers in the sea area off West, Southwest, Southeast and East coasts of the island. Wind speed will be between 10 km/h and 30 km/h with no predominant direction. Seas will not be rough.

Tonight, showers with thunder and lightning will be fairly widespread, with isolated falls in the East and North of the island.

Tomorrow, thundershowers will continue to develop at several places over Central, Sabaragamuwa and North-Central Provinces during the afternoon. Rain with thunder will spread to the Western and Southwestern coastal areas later.

The general public is again advised to take adequate precautionary measures against lightning hazards.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager