Rain, wind lash Ernakulam: Houses damaged, power disrupted, trees uprooted
KOCHI: Heavy winds and rain that lashed Ernakulam on Wednesday night damaged houses and disrupted power supply in many parts of the district. The worst-hit was Piravom and surrounding areas. According to KSEB chief engineer (distribution), nearly 100 electricity poles were broken in the area.
Power will be restored fully in the region by Friday, he said. “We have already entrusted six contractors to undertake the work on a war-footing,” he said. The major damage to electricity poles and lines was caused by the uprooting of trees.
According to an official in the district disaster management authority, a few houses in Piravom region and one house in Edakkattil panchayat were damaged.
Parts of Elamakkara, Edappally, Chittoor, Cheranelloor and Vaduthala in Kochi city and north Parvaur on the outskirts were also hit by winds. A lot of plantains and coconut trees were uprooted in these areas. In north Paravur, a few houses were damaged as trees fell on them while roof tiles were swept away. The strong winds that lasted for less than half-an-hour were accompanied by rain.
The KSEB struggled to restore power supply on Thursday. In Chittoor, power went off around 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday and it was restored only by noon on Thursday, said a resident. Mulanthurthy was hit by winds and rain on Thursday evening.
Yellow alert in Ernakulam dist
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has declared yellow alert in Ernakulam district on Monday in view of the possibility of rains and winds due to the low pressure in the Indian Ocean. The KSDMA has directed the district administration to keep the emergency response system on alert for various activities, including restoration of telephone and electricity connections in case of disruptions.
The IMD has predicted heavy rains in many parts of the state on April 29, 30 and May 1 under the influence of low pressure in the Indian Ocean.
It has also warned of winds at a speed of 30-40 km per hour and up to 50 km per hour occasionally in parts of the state from Friday.
