3 dead as rain, strong winds wreak havoc in Kovai, Gobi

Stormy winds accompanied by heavy rains left a trail of destruction in the Western districts. After a prolonged dry spell, heavy rains pounded many parts of Coimbatore and Gobichettipalayam since Thursday, leaving three persons dead in rain-related incidents. 

On receiving information, the KG Chavady police rushed to the spot and sent the body of the deceased for autopsy to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). 

In Salem, a farmer couple stepped on a live wire, which snapped in gusty wind in their farmland. The couple identified as P Lakshmanan, 55, of Gangavalli and his wife Samboornam, 47, were found dead in their farm, spread over an acre, on Friday. 

Police, however, suspect that the couple died a day ago. The bodies of the couple have been sent for autopsy and further inquiries were on to ascertain if they  died accidentally or there  was any foul play. 

In Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, numerous houses were damaged in the strong winds. Roofing of as many as four houses collapsed, while many houses suffered damage at Karattadipalayam. Luckily, there was no loss of life in the village as panic-gripped residents moved out of their houses to safety. 

The village also plunged into darkness since Thursday night as many electric posts fell and TNEB staff were carrying out repair work to restore power supply in the neighbourhood. 

The strong gusts also destroyed plantain crops raised in a huge area in Gobichettipalayam.

S Panneerselvam, professor and head of Agro Climate Research Centre at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, said the sky would remain cloudy and rainfall would be witnessed in some parts of Coimbatore on Saturday and Sunday. “This is the first summer showers. Coimbatore has received 20 to 30 mm of rainfall over the last three days. Rains lashed select pockets in suburban areas on Friday,” he said. Further, Panneerselvam said that the wind speed went up to 15km/hour from just 8 km/ hour and it may increase further in the coming days.