KOLLAM: The strong winds that blew from 2.30 am on Wednesday caused widespread damage in Kollam district. Thiruvananthapuram Anchuthengu native A Pilkis, a fisherman got killed after his boat capsized in the heavy winds during the dawn hours.

Boat owner, Bernard, a Poonthura native, who was with Pilkis, swam away to safety. At 3 am, the boat, which had left for fishing in the sea, overturned in strong winds near Eravipuram Kakkathoppu Nithya Sahaya Matha Church.

Pilkis tried to hang on the net for a long time but later got exhausted and lost his grip to disappear into the deep blue depths. The dead body of Pilkis was recovered from the Eravipuram Kulathumpadam area around 8.30 am yesterday.

A post-mortem was conducted at the district hospital and the body was handed over to the relatives. Pilkis left behind his wife Vyakula Mary and children Feni and Phoebe. Many boats capsized in the Paravur and Mayyanad regions due to heavy wind on Wednesday.