H.W. Nalinda Ratmal (24), a fisherman from Sambantheevu area, Trincomalee, was killed by a lightning strike while fishing with two others last Sunday morning.
Nalinda, a father of one, was the breadwinner of the family. His two accomplices were in shock after witnessing their colleague’s death.
D. Pushpa (29) and Gamage Karunawathi (52) were killed when lightning struck them while working at the Pitabaddara tea plantation on April 18.
Pushpa, from Hawovita, was a mother of two; a son of 13 years and an 8-year-old daughter, and the breadwinner of her family.
Karunawathi, a spinster, lived with her family on Kakunuwela tea estate, and was supporting her family.
On the day of the incident, Pushpa and Karunawathi were sheltering from a downpour, inside a hut which had a metal roof, when lightning struck them.
Meanwhile, Dhammika Chaminda (30), a paddy farmer from Akuressa, Athuruliya, who was a father of three, and the breadwinner of his family, was struck by lightning on the same day, while out working at the paddy field. The government has compensated his family with Rs 15,000.
In all, there have been 22 deaths by lightning this year, of which, 15 occurred in April, while three persons were injured.
Last year, there were 51 deaths by lightning, of which, 20 were in April. About 33 deaths were reported in 2010.
According to the Meteorology Department, Beruwala, Haputale, Avissawella, Badureliya, Anuradhapura, Deraniyagala, Galgamuva, Akuressa, Trincomalee and Eheliyagoda are the areas where most of the deaths by lightning were reported from.
Commenting on the significant number of deaths due to lightning, Chief Meteorologist S.A. Jayasinghearachchi said that, it is because people do not follow Met Dept forecasts. “If more thundershowers are forecast during evenings, in most parts of the island, people should take serious note. If we forecast temporary strong winds or thunder and lightning activity, people should be cautious and take necessary precautions,” he said.
“When there is lightning and thundershowers, people are warned to avoid open spaces, unplug electric/electronic items and not travel in open vehicles like tractors and boats. Most deaths are reported from rural areas, such as those working in paddy fields and plantation sectors,” he said. “It is also a social problem, because despite warnings, farmers go to their paddy fields in fulfilling their daily routine, due to the lack of knowledge,” he said
Elaborating on the present weather conditions, Mr. Jayasinghearachchi said that, it is normal to experience evening thundershowers in March and April, as it is the inter-monsoonal period.
“In the mornings, there will be clear skies with much sunshine. Around two o’clock, there would be a cloud formation, resulting in afternoon or evening thundershowers accompanied by thunder and lightning,” he said.
Commenting on the morning thundershowers experienced during the past week and early this week, he said that, it is due to the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), where winds from the southern and northern hemispheres meet, creating greater cloud formation, and hence, more rain follows.
“It is normal for the inter-monsoonal condition to be enhanced by the aforesaid activity in the ITCZ, when more than usual rainfall is experienced. This is the reason for more rain during the last few days,” he said
“After the ITCZ moves away from Sri Lanka, the normal-inter-monsoon showers would be experienced in the evenings,” he added
The duration of the ITCZ cannot be predicted, and the speed with which the zone moves would be inversely proportional to the quantum of rainfall experienced as a result of it.
“Around the third week of May, the southwest (SW) monsoon should set in, until then, the inter-monsoon condition should prevail. Thunder and lightning activity will decrease as the period approaches for the onset of the SW monsoon, signaling the end of the inter-monsoonal phase,” he said.
The recent unusually inclement weather conditions caused much damage in many parts of the country, through landslides and gale-force winds.
When asked about cyclonic effects, Mr. Jayasinghearachchi confirmed the presence of cyclonic circulations over Sri Lanka, due to atmospheric disturbances.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), a total of eight instances of gale-force winds were reported from Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa, Galle, Hambantota and Anuradhapura in March and April, during the inter-monsoonal period.
Gale-force winds fully damaged 153 houses, while partially damaging another 844 houses, which affected some 1,285 families totalling 4599 persons.
Landslides were reported only during April in Nuwara Eliya, Kotapola, Matara and Ambangamuwa. Three houses were partially damaged, affecting 18 families or 79 persons.
Commenting on the compensation paid and the relief work carried out, DMC Assistant Director for early warnings, Ravi Jayaratne said that, “Following gales and landslides, we have helped those affected to make temporary shelters and have provided them with relief items such as dry rations.
“But now, compensations are being paid by the Ministry of Economic Development” he said.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department’s Director General, Dr. G.G.A. Godaliyadda said that, as most of the reservoirs are yet below spill level, there was no need to open the sluice gates.
“Though, 77% of the reservoirs are almost at spill level, people of those areas do not have to fret over the threat of floods. We will keep them informed and issue warnings. We will coordinate with the DMC, police and government agents to help the people,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed the absence of crop damage, as the harvests have already been completed, and hence, the inclement weather did not affect any of the crops. |
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