Three farmers die in lightning fury

Three farmers died on the spot after they were struck down by a bolt of lightning at a location in Thannimurippu – Mullaitivu shortly before dusk on Thursday, police said today.

 

They said the victims were working in an open field when the incident took place. Although dry weather prevailed earlier in the day in the area thunder storms were however experienced later on in the evening, they said.

 

Two Civil Defence Force (CDF) personnel were also injured during lightning activity in a separate incident reported from a location at a farm in Anuradhapura on the same day.

 

The incidents come amidst repeated warnings from the authorities of a high activity of lightning in most parts of the country and the public were advised to take necessary precautions to minimize damage that could be caused by such inclement weather.