The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Tuesday issued an orange alert for Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts for the next three hours as heavy rains and strong winds triggered widespread damage across parts of the state.

Thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph at isolated places are likely to occur in these districts.

Heavy rains wreak havoc
In Malappuram, four youths were killed and two others injured after being struck by lightning at the Kuranganchola tourist destination near Mankada in Malappuram district on Tuesday evening. The deceased were identified as Rahees (20), Bahas (18), Siyad (18) and Fahadh (22), all natives of Vellila Malayil. The injured are Roshan (20) and Ishaath (16), who are also from Vellila Malayil.

In Kollam, a landslip occurred near a petrol pump in Nellipally, Punalur, with mud falling onto a service station and the top of a lorry. According to the Punalur Fire and Rescue Services, they received an alert regarding the incident around 4.40 pm.

Due to the mudslide, the concrete wall of the service station split into two and collapsed. “There are reports of a labourer being trapped in the mudslide, but it has not been confirmed yet. One unit from Punalur and another from Pathanapuram are at the spot and a rescue mission is underway,” an official said.

In Kottayam, fallen trees blocked traffic for some time in Pala and Ramapuram. In Uzhavur, an electric post fell on top of an autorickshaw. Several houseowners also reported rain-related damage across the state.