Lightning deaths on the rise

Rasika SOMARATHNA

At least 13 related to lightning deaths have been recorded during the last several months in Sri Lanka.

In comparison, during the whole of 2009 only 10 deaths had been recorded due to lightning. Lightning had also severely damaged property and inflicted injuries on over 20 people causing long term disabilities during the last two months.

Disaster Management Centre official said the latest spate of incidents have occurred in Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura about a week ago with three farmers killed by lightning while working in paddy fields. Most deaths have occurred either while working in open spaces (like paddy fields) or while loitering near water bodies such as lakes and large tanks.

Met. Department Chief G. B. Samarasinghe told the Daily News that although lightening was a normal occurrence during the current period due to inter monsoonal conditions, it had aggravated due to changing weather patterns.

The on and off rainy conditions, experienced during March and April allowed cotton wool like thunder clouds to develop which were of a vigorous and intense nature, he added.

However, he expressed confidence that the South-West monsoon would break at the end of this week as expected and this would ease the prevailing intensity related to lightning.

He said deaths and related hazards could be avoided through awareness.

Meanwhile Bandara Vipulasena, our Vavuniya Central Special Corr. reported that several houses were damaged in Mamaduwa, Vavuniya and two pregnant cows killed after being struck by lightning during heavy thunder showers experienced in Vavuniya yesterday.

Several electricity wires were damaged by uprooted trees disrupting electricity supply to several areas in Vavuniya.

Farmers in the area have also been affected due to damage caused to the paddy crop by continuous rains.

Despite the rains, the areas in the North are experiencing a high rate of humidity these days.