Eight injured by lightning in Kerala as heavy rains, winds lash

Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode: Eight persons sustained injuries after being struck by lightning at Kozhikode beach area in Kerala on Thursday, as heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds battered various parts of the state. According to an official from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), one of the injured is currently receiving treatment in the ICU ward of a government medical college hospital in Kozhikode, while the other seven are reported to be in stable condition.

In response to the severe weather conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for three districts in the state, namely Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam, and a yellow alert for the remaining 11 districts. "A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm."

The heavy rains have disrupted daily life in several parts of Kerala, causing waterlogging on roads, flooding in homes, and uprooting trees. In many areas, including Kochi and Kottayam, people have been forced to relocate to relief camps due to the incessant rains and the resulting water intrusion into their homes.

Earlier on the same day, the IMD declared the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon in Kerala. The onset of the monsoon over the Kerala coast occurred a day earlier than predicted, influenced by Cyclone Remal. "On May 15, the IMD had announced the onset of the monsoon over Kerala by May 31."