Many houses were damaged, one totally destroyed, and standing crops worth a hefty sum collapsed in the heavy wind that lashed in different parts of Kozhencherry taluk during the past 36 hours.
Omalloor and Chenneerkara villages were the worst-affected areas in the natural calamity. According to official sources, as many as 92 houses were damaged in 10 villages in Kozhencherry taluk alone.
Hundreds of rubber trees as well as other giant trees were uprooted. Many houses were damaged when the uprooted trees fell on them.
Power supply disruption
Prolonged disruption of power supply in many parts of the affected areas was another major problem facing the local population.
Kerala State Electricity Board sources told The Hindu that hundreds of electric posts have either been uprooted or damaged in the wind, disrupting power supply to a major part of the taluk.
KSEB sources said it might take altleast a week for restoring the power supply in the affected area.
2 killed in lightning
Two persons were fatally struck by lightning in the past 24 hours. The deceased were identified as Vijayamma (54) of Vadasserikkara and P.K. Binu (30) of Thekkumala.
Five others have reportedly suffered burns in the lightning in different parts of the district. Aparna (9) of Malayalappuzha, Sherly Raju (30) of Adoor, Ammini (35) of OmaPrincy (16) lloor, Kunjamma (65) of Chandanappally were the injured, police said.
All the injured have been admitted to various hospitals in the district.
Crop loss
According to official sources, the crop loss in an extent of 19.18 ha of land has been estimated at Rs. 1,63,00,000.
Extensive damage to standing crops like coconut trees, rubber trees and giant timber wood trees have been reported from the interior reaches of Omalloor and Chenneerkara villages.
As many as 45 houses were damaged in Chenneerkara village and 22 others in Omalloor village.
Collector visits affected areas
District Collector, S. Lalithambika, visited the affected areas in Omalloor and Chenneerkara villages on Monday.
