Thiruvananthapuram: The power supply in the city was hit and several vehicles and train bogeys were damaged by strong winds on Friday evening. Around 100 electric posts were damaged in 14 sections across the city alone as trees including multiple Banyan trees uprooted. Transformers and circuit units at Thycaud and Shasthamangalam were damaged due to tree fall.
Electricity will not be reinstated in several areas until Saturday morning, as transformers have to be replaced, officials said. Tree fell on the differently-abled compartment of a train at Nemom and electric supply lines that power locomotives were damaged. Hundreds of KSEB workers were trying to repair overhead lines at the time of going to press.
Around three houses with aluminium or asbestos roofs were damaged in Valiyathura and household goods were damaged as trees including teaks uprooted. Trees uprooted at Pettah, Chackai, Palkulangara, Music College area, Kudappanakunnu, Kulathoor, Kazhakoottam, Mana-caud, Thiruvallam areas. At Pettah a car was damaged as trees caved in on the parked vehicle.
District collector Biju Prabhakar said that he had a close shave from danger as a tree fell inside collectorate. The district administration had earlier predicted stronger winds this monsoon and ordered stricter pruning of trees. However pruning was not happening efficiently and a warning was issued this week to officials that they will be booked under disaster management act if trees cause damages to life and property.
