THRISSUR: Chalakudy witnessed eight cyclonic storms since the onset of the monsoon. It has been confirmed that the real cause of the cyclonic storms that strike for only ten to fifteen seconds at each place is the cumulus clouds that have been appearing in the state recently. Thunderstorms are caused by the rapid movement of thin air into high pressure areas by the influence of such clouds. Leading climate researcher Dr Gopakumar Cholayil said that it is impossible to predict when and where this will happen.

Such cyclonic storms can occur in some isolated places only for seconds. Parallel winds can reach speeds of 80 to 120 km/h. The end result of this is extreme. Trees fall down as their roots will be soaked during heavy rains. Dr Gopakumar opined that cyclonic storms should be included in the study of climate changes in Kerala. And the farmers should be made aware about it.

At 3.10 in the morning, there was also a cyclonic storm in Thiruthiparamb in Alur panchayat. A tamarind tree fell on top of Sebi Pulikkal's house in Thiruthiparamb and the roof and wall were broken and he had to move to a rented house. Trees also fell on the houses of Unni Kollamparambil, Dilip Rajan Edaparambil, Usha Krishnan Kuttyperumpadathil, Chandran Kadukaparambil and Bharathan Pedikattu Parambil. Hundreds of trees were uprooted.