Heavy rain causes damage in Kollam

KOLLAM: Heavy showers accompanied by thunder, lightning and heavy winds hit various parts of the district on Friday evening. Trees fell down in several places in Chinnakkada, Kavanadu and Vallikeezhu disrupting traffic along the NH 47. Normal traffic resumed after hours of effort by the traffic police and the Fire and Rescue Service personnel.In Thenmala too, traffic was disrupted along the National Highway owing to trees falling down on the roads. Hoardings of several commercial establishments, flex boards and petty shops collapsed.Many people were stranded on their way back home from work due to the unexpected downpour which hit the city by around 6 p m.Following the rain, there was no power supply in many places in the district. It took over four hours to restore the power supply at least partially.Railway schedules were also disrupted as many places  in the district were waterlogged. In Sasthamkotta, a tree fell down into the track shortly before the MEMU train from Kochi was about to pass.The traffic was disrupted for over one-and-a-half hour through the lane. The railway tracks in Perinad and Karicode areas were waterlogged.Houses were damaged in Ezhukone, Cheerankavu, Nedumankavu, Puthalathazham, Anchalummoodu and Kodiayttuvila near Valakam.The rain also played spoilsport on the communication systems. Land-line connections at the emergency control room in the District Collectorate too got hit, affecting the coordination of operations.LIGHTNING: MAN DEADAt Valakam, a 65-year-old man died after being struck by lightning around 6.30 pm as he was feeding cattle in the barn adjacent to his house. The deceased was identified as Karunakaran Pillai,65, of Thadathivila Veettil, Andoor, near Valakam.