Wayanad: A sudden downpour accompanied by strong winds caused widespread damage in several villages of Poothadi Panchayath here on Monday. A poultry farm was completely destroyed, with over 3,500 chicks feared to be killed. 

The farm, owned by Nadavayal native Puthanparambil Jobish, was flattened when strong winds tore off the roofs of four adjacent sheds where the chickens were kept. The fodder stock was also damaged after being exposed to the rain. Jobish estimated the total loss to be around ₹7 lakh.

The winds hit the area around 3 pm and lasted less than an hour.

Jobish told Onmanorama that it was the first time in his life he had encountered such devastating winds. "The other day, I inducted 3500 fresh chicks to the farm, shelling out ₹50 for each. Also, there were '35 days old' maturing chickens to be caught and sold to the market in the coming days," he said.

"The 10,000 sq ft sheds of the farm were also damaged entirely. I am clueless about what to do next, " Jobish added.

Though the rain lashed across the district, widespread destruction was reported only from Poothadi Panchayath. "The major destruction was reported between Kenichira and Nadavayal," said Lijo Jose, a farmer from Nadavayal. He added that while the phenomenon lasted barely an hour, its impact was devastating.

Other areas hit were Kenichira, Edakkad, Kelamangalamm Kattadikkavala, Cheengode and Nadavayal. Trees were uprooted and fell on houses, plantain farms were destroyed, and power supply was disrupted as electric lines snapped due to falling trees. The full extent of the destruction in the area is yet to be assessed. 

Earlier, the IMD had issued an orange alert in Wayanad, forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall and strong winds.