Heavy winds may make a comeback

The strong winds that left a trail of destruction in many parts of the district during the past few weeks may return as monsoon progresses, climatologists have cautioned.

Heavy winds brought down trees, caused power outages and destroyed crops in some isolated pockets in the district on Sunday. Plantains and other crops were also destroyed in the strong winds in some other parts of the district earlier. Crop damage has been reported from Piravom, Mulanthuruthy, Kottuvally and Paravoor areas.

Weather experts have warned that strong wind from the south-western direction with speed occasionally reaching 45 and 55 kmph was likely along and off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area during the next 24 hours from 2 p.m. on Tuesday. They have also predicted heavy rainfall exceeding 7 cm in isolated areas till Sunday.

The strong winds that blew in some areas have also damaged several houses in Paravoor. It has also caused destruction to houses and vegetation in Kalloorkkad, Palakkuzha and Neryamangalam areas.

P.V. Joseph, a former director of the India Meteorological Department, said the wind that hit some parts of the district was part of the monsoon activity. It could return along with rain in the State.

Though it has not rained much in the State during the first spell of monsoon, it is raining heavily in other parts of the country. Rain has reached Madhya Pradesh and will cover the Himalayas shortly. “The second spell of the monsoon, which is expected to begin within a fortnight, may bring copious showers to Kerala,” he said.

Monsoon has reached active phase in the country. It has gathered strength over the past one week. A depression has formed over the Bay of Bengal, which also confirms the conclusion that monsoon has gathered strength in the country, Dr. Joseph said.