Trees uprooted, classroom wall collapses in Malappuram; Surprise rain gaining strength in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The big respite from torturous summer is here. Rain with thunderstorms is expected in various districts on Monday. Contrary to the heavy rain that lashed North Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and other parts of the state recorded light to moderate rains. Heavy rain and wind are expected in Malappuram, Kozhikode and the hilly areas today. There is a possibility of rain with thunderstorms in isolated places on Monday and the coming days.

IMD has warned that strong winds with a maximum speed of 50 kmph are possible along with the rain.

Heavy rains lashed Nilambur, Karulai, Vaniyambalam and Wandoor in Malappuram. Trees were uprooted in many places. In Nilambur, the wall of the Govt UP school collapsed due to rain. Kozhikode's Koodaranji area is also experiencing heavy rain and wind.

Lightning strikes are dangerous. They cause great damage to human and animal life, electrical communication networks, and household appliances connected to electrical conductors. Therefore, the public should take the following precautions from the moment they first see the thunderstorm.

At the first sign of lightning, move inside a safe building immediately. Remaining in open areas increases the risk of being struck by lightning.

Disconnect electrical appliances. Avoid proximity to electrical appliances during thunderstorms. Avoid using the telephone during thunderstorms. It is safe to use a mobile phone.