Heavy rain and strong winds that lashed Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts on Monday evening brought down trees in a few places, causing damage to houses.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) here attributed the rainfall to strengthening summer showers, saying parts of the State can expect afternoon thundershowers in the days ahead.
A tree on the premises of Civil Supplies Minister G. R. Anil's official residence in the capital city was uprooted. No one was hurt in the incident, his office said.
The roof of a house at Chadayamangalam, Kollam, was damaged by falling tree branches. In Thiruvananthapuram district, two houses – one in Thiruvananthapuram taluk and the other in Nedumangad taluk – were damaged by uprooted trees. Steps have been taken to find alternative accommodation for the families, said Vineeth T. K., Deputy Collector (Disaster Management).
''Minor incidents involving falling tree branches have been reported in various parts of the district, which were attended to by the Fire and Rescue Services,'' he said. The No. 2 shutter of the Aruvikkara dam was raised by 20 cm. The No. 1 shutter would also be raised by 20 cm by Monday night, the Thiruvananthapuram district administration said.
Damage at Saras Mela
The Saras Mela organised by Kudumbashree at the Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds too bore the brunt of heavy rains and strong winds. Clothes, handicraft, home décor products, accessories, jewellery and food products were damaged.
“In the 2018 flood, I lost around ₹6 lakh when the Saras Mela at Chengannur got washed away. It was with great difficulty that I managed to start afresh. Due to the pandemic, there were no fairs for the last two years and we all had been waiting for this mela. We had taken loans and some of us are in huge debt,” said Sarala from Pathanamthitta who had brought textile items worth ₹7 lakh to the fete.
One of the three pavilions set up at the grounds had sustained damage. ''If they had built a strong pavilion, this would not have happened. Who will compensate us for our losses?” asked Devika from Thrissur who had on display jewellery and other accessories at her stall.
Rain to continue
Summer showers are showing signs of strengthening, and an upper air trough extends from Telengana to south Tamil Nadu, IMD officials said. ''Kerala has been receiving rainfall over the past few days, but it is scattered and the districts can expect variations in rainfall,'' said K. Santhosh, Director, IMD, Thiruvananthapuram, said.
Meanwhile, an upper air cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the south Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood on Wednesday. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over southeast Bay of Bengal during the subsequent 24 hours. Under its influence, Kerala can expect rainfall to strengthen on Friday and Saturday.
After a dry, rain-deficit start to the summer season, Kerala has recorded 46% excess rainfall for the March 1-April 4 period. Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Kasaragod and Ernakulam districts have logged a large excess (a percentage departure above 60%) rainfall. Only Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur have reported deficient rainfall.
