Mini tornado strikes Elamakkara in Kerala

Kochi: A mini tornado  ripped through localities in a one kilometer radius in Elamakkara on Thursday, tearing off the roofs of  houses, uprooting trees, damaging vehicles parked on roadsides and bringing down power lines and overhead cables.

Flower pots and other objects  on terraces of homes went flying as the tornado did its worst.

Even as heavy rain lashed their neighbourhood, people were shocked to see the unexpected twister  hit the area by 10.30 am.

Though other parts of the city and outskirts received heavy rainfall, no strong wind was reported.

“The strong wind hit a very limited radius and I learnt about it only when residents of the area called. The roof of a house on BTS Road was ripped off and  fell on a nearby house. Strong winds also brought down a number of trees and the fire and safety crew was called to clear the roads and streets. It took more than two hours to remove all the debris,” said division councilor, Sajini Jayakumar.

Power supply to the area has been disrupted and it will take couple of days to restore it as most poles have been damaged, say KSEB sources.

While  Hibi Eden MLA and officials from the village office visited the area,  the district administration has begun assessing the damage caused.

Prof. K. Mohan Kumar of the department of atmospheric science, Cochin University of Science and Technology explains that a twister or mini tornado is caused by a rising column of hot air that begins to rotate as it stretches, throwing up debris.

“Though a twister is common in other states and other countries, the phenomenon is very rare in Kerala,” he said.