At least five people including a Buddhist nun were reported dead due to adverse weather conditions prevailed in Sri Lanka as a result of the rainstorm that swept across several parts of the country yesterday causing flash floods in several provinces.
Two persons in the Welikanda area and a Buddhist nun in Horana were killed by lightening while another person was killed by a falling tree, Police Media Unit said.
Two Buddhist nuns in a meditation center in Horana have received serious injuries after lightning struck them yesterday afternoon. One of them, a 62-year-old nun has died after admitting to the Horana Hospital.
A 32-year-old mother of one in Badalkumbura, Moneragala died when a tree fell on her while a 42-year-old man in Bulathkohupitiya area died when an earth mound fell on his house.
In addition to the deaths, during the last 48 hours seven accidents have been reported on the expressways. Sri Lanka Police are advising the motorists to drive with more attention at lower speed when it is raining.
The Deputy Director (Operations) Southern Expressway R.D.A. Kahatapitiya said to switch on headlights during heavy rains when using expressways. The RDA also urged motorists to take necessary precautions to avoid accidents from slippery road conditions as well and has imposed a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour on expressways during adverse weather.
Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department predicts landslides and floods if the heavy rains persist in the country in the next few days.
