Sl records highest deaths (2 items)

Lightning claims nearly 10 lives in three months

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa

Lightning has claimed nearly 10 lives so far this year, Assistant Director of the

Disaster Management Centre’s Early Warning Division K. A. D. P. K. Kodippili told The Island on Thursday (29).

He said that six persons had died this month alone after being struck by lightning. 51 lightning related deaths were reported during the whole of last year.

However, Kodippili said that most people tend to ignore warnings issued to avoid areas prone to lightning during bad weather.

Statistics over the last two years had shown that a large number of people had been victims of lightning strikes. Around 50 people in the country die annually due to lightning. The highest number of deaths due to lightning in Sri Lanka was reported from Horana in the Kalutara district. Apart from human damage, damages to the tune of nearly Rs 300 million had been inflicted on property annually in addition to the loss of animals.

"It is normal to have powerful bolts of lightning striking during the Inter-Monsoon season of March/April and October/ November" he said.

Awareness played a key role in preventing lightning disasters and the Ministry was taking the leadership in that role. The Ministry had appointed a special committee comprising scientists such as Dr. Chandana Jayaratne to formulate recommendations and initiate programmes targeting people living in lightning prone areas, Kodippili added.

He further said that DMC was conducting awareness campaigns all over the country to avoid human and property damages due to lightning.

Kodippili also requested the public to avoid open spaces and to take necessary precautions to prevent lightning accidents.

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=48701


SL records highest lightning related deaths

S M Wijayaratne-Kurunegala Daily News Corr

Sri Lanka records the highest number of lightning related deaths in the world. According to statistics of the Meteorological Department, 52 persons have died after being struck by lighting last year, said Kurunegala District Education Director W M Balasooriya at a meeting of school Heads at Bingiriya Youth Training Centre recently.

"A national centre for preventing disasters of thunder and lightning has to be set up. A proposal in this regard will be forwarded to the Cabinet in due course. Many people don't follow instructions and warnings issued by the Meteorological Department," Balasooriya said.

He instructed school Heads to educate the school community on natural disasters and the risks of thunder and lightning.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/31/news34.asp