Kochi: Kerala continued to witness intense monsoon activity on Tuesday, with a sudden whirlwind-like wind event causing major damage in Thrissur district, even as heavy rain led to waterlogging, traffic disruption and precautionary evacuations in several parts of the state.

The most severe impact was reported in Thrissur, where strong winds struck around 9 am and uprooted multiple trees across several locations. Roads between Thrissur and Thanikkudam were briefly blocked after trees fell, forcing the Fire and Rescue Services to clear debris and restore traffic movement.

The campus of Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Poochatty was hit hard when four large teak trees in the parking area were uprooted due to intense winds. The fallen trees damaged three autorickshaws and one car parked on the premises. The incident occurred just before classes began, when students were either arriving or being dropped off, but no injuries were reported as children and staff were not in the immediate area at the time.

School authorities and auto drivers quickly shifted children to nearby houses as a precaution when the winds intensified, avoiding a potential tragedy. The LKG section building also sustained damage, with its roof partially dislodged during the storm. A large mango tree inside the school campus was also uprooted.

Elsewhere in the district, areas including Mannuthy, Vattara, and Poochatty reported widespread tree fall and minor infrastructure damage. Fire force personnel, along with local residents, later worked to cut and remove fallen trees to restore normal movement.

In another incident, along the Peechi–Mala Highway near Vilanganur, a large tree branch fell across the road, temporarily blocking traffic. The branch got stuck in power lines, leading to disruption in electricity supply in the surrounding areas. Traffic movement was slowed until the obstruction was cleared.

Meanwhile, Kerala’s broader weather situation remained unsettled under the influence of an active southwest monsoon. In Kozhikode, heavy overnight rainfall caused waterlogging in low-lying urban areas, disrupting daily movement and affecting key stretches near coastal and city zones.

Authorities have also stepped up precautionary measures in vulnerable regions. In Thrissur district, five families from the Areshwaram region of Mattathur grama panchayat were shifted to a temporary relief camp at a government school due to concerns over possible landslide risks.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds of up to 40 kmph across several districts, including Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Officials have warned that isolated spells of rain are likely in remaining districts as well, with monsoon activity expected to remain strong over Kerala in the coming days.

With repeated incidents of tree fall, waterlogging and slope instability being reported, authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas—especially near hillsides, riverbanks and old structures—to remain alert and follow official weather advisories closely.

With PTI inputs