One person was killed and two others were injured after trees fell on them as heavy rain and gusty winds wreaked havoc across the district on Tuesday.
A 47-year-old motorcyclist was killed when a coconut palm fell on him at Cheruvakkal, near Sreekaryam, around 6.45 p.m. The deceased has been identified as Padmakumar of Ambadi Nagar, Sreekaryam. Despite being rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital here, his life could not be saved. Padmakumar was an employee of a local cable TV company and is survived by his wife Leela and children Arun Kumar and Anisha. The district authorities have released an immediate assistance of ₹10,000 to the family.
Two injured
Two persons sustained serious injuries at Puthukulangara in Uzhamalakkal after an uprooted tree fell on them. Those injured have been identified as Anil Kumar and Sunila. They have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital.
Several houses in various parts of the district suffered extensive damage. Thirty houses were damaged and one destroyed after uprooted trees fell on them in Uzhamalakkal. Ten houses were damaged and two destroyed at Aryanad. Similar incidents were reported from Navayikulam, Kunnummal in Kilimanoor, Kudavoor in Varkala, and Ulloor. The roofs of two houses in Sree Chithira Nagar at Pettah were blown away in wind.
Traffic went haywire in the city, leaving the Fire and Rescue Services personnel on tenterhooks throughout the day. Many roads witnessed heavy traffic blocks after uprooted trees fell on them. Traffic blocks were reported from Museum-Nanthencode road, near the Civil Station at Kudappanakunnu, Chakka Junction and near government school at Eenchakkal. Power outages were reported from various parts as power lines snapped after trees fell on them.
Dam shutters raised
With Agasthyamala and the nearby areas receiving copious rainfall throughout the day, shutters of the Neyyar dam were raised twice on the day. The shutters were raised by 4 ft and the water level is being maintained at 84.45 m. The maximum capacity of the dam is 84.75 m. The shutters of the Aruvikkara and Peppara dams were also raised by 1.45 metres and 60 cm respectively.
District Collector K. Vasuki has cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea. She has also urged the public to restrict journeys to the hilly areas of the district. People living near the banks of rivers have been asked to exercise caution.