Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has issued an amber-level warning for severe lightning across parts of 17 districts, including Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ampara, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Vavuniya.
The warning was issued at 12.49pm on 3 November and became valid from 1pm. It remains in force until 1am on 4 November. The department’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre said thunderstorms accompanied by severe lightning were likely in the affected areas.
The alert is classified as “Be Prepared”, with a medium likelihood and medium potential impact. The department warned that lightning could damage infrastructure and property, disrupt outdoor activities and cause localised electrical or electronic interference.
Visitors and tourism businesses have been advised to exercise particular caution during thunderstorms. The warning specifically recommends avoiding open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies. Travellers should also avoid boats, bicycles, tractors and other open vehicles during active storms, while outdoor excursions should be postponed until conditions improve.
The affected districts include several important visitor areas. Nuwara Eliya and Badulla are associated with tea-country excursions and highland walks, while Ampara, Batticaloa, Hambantota and Trincomalee include coastal, wildlife and marine-tourism locations.
A separate same-day forecast indicated that showers or thunderstorms could occur across much of the island after 1pm, with rainfall exceeding 75mm possible in some areas.
The warning does not announce airport closures, a nationwide travel shutdown or a general suspension of tourism activity. Hotels, guides and tour operators should nevertheless check local conditions before running hikes, plantation visits, safaris, boat trips or other outdoor programmes.
