Chalakudy: An unpredicted cyclone, accompanied by heavy rain sparked panic in and around Chalakudy on Tuesday evening. Reports of an earthquake also emerged, raising tension among the locals who are yet to recover from the disastrous floods in August. The town in the Thrissur district was one of the worst-hit areas during the August deluge.

It rained non-stop for nearly two hours on Tuesday evening. Ferocious winds pounded the town on the banks of Chalakudypuzha.

Sheets on rooftops were blown away, and some hindered traffic on roads. The roof of the conference room at the police station was blown away and several documents were destroyed in the rain.

A number of transformers crashed. As electric cables were snapped at several places, power supply was disrupted.

A tree at the municipal mini park was uprooted and fell on to the private bus stand, blocking the northern entrance for several hours. Vehicles were damaged after uprooted trees fell over them. The car belonging to B D Devassy, MLA, too suffered damage. The car was parked on the roadside as the legislator visited his dentist.

The screening of a movie had to be stopped at Surabhi Theatre as the roof got damaged and as rain water leaked in people rushed out in panic.

Low-lying areas were inundated.

No confirmation on quake

Townsfolk said they felt an earthquake, but the Forest Research Centre at Peechi was yet to confirm it. The centre closes at 5 pm, and the tremors were felt after that. Those who reported the quake said it was felt in buildings at the South Junction and on the nearby bridge.

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