Ernakulam district in Kerala experienced significant disruption on Monday as heavy rainfall and strong winds wreaked havoc, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and property while uprooting trees across several areas. The adverse weather conditions led to traffic congestion, damages to houses and vehicles, although fortunately, no casualties were reported. The district was placed under an orange alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) due to the severity of the weather conditions.
Several locations in Ernakulam, including Vaduthala, Pachalam, Panampilly Nagar, Edakattuvayal, Karshaka Road, and near BOT bridge, witnessed trees being uprooted, blocking roads and complicating travel for residents. Four trees fell onto a bridge, damaging two vehicles and necessitating a four-hour operation by fire and rescue services to clear the debris and restore traffic flow. The impact of the storm was evident in Vazhakkala, where a road sank approximately 50 meters, exacerbating the challenges faced by local authorities in managing the aftermath. Incidents of structural damage were reported in Thirumaradi village and Kunnathunadu, where houses suffered partial collapses due to falling trees.
Given the severity of the weather conditions, the district administration took proactive measures by declaring a holiday for all educational institutions. According to IMD reports, areas in Ernakulam south received 5cm of rainfall within a 24-hour period, with Kochi airport and Aluva recording the highest rainfall at 7.5cm during the day. Ernakulam district has faced a rainfall deficit of 38% so far in the current South-West Monsoon season, compared to the normal seasonal average of 2116.9mm. Last year, the district recorded a 24% deficit in the same season, highlighting ongoing weather pattern challenges.
As the situation evolved, IMD issued warnings of continued strong winds up to 55kmph, based on radar data from Kochi. Concurrently, authorities in neighbouring Idukki district initiated precautionary measures by raising the shutters of Kallarkutty dam due to heavy rainfall, prompting alerts for residents along the Periyar river banks regarding potential water level rises.
