Three struck by lightning, heavy rain hits Thiruvananthapuram

At least three people died after being struck by lightning during heavy rains that lashed the Kerala capital on Tuesday, officials said.

The Thiruvananthapuram district collector called for a high alert after the downpour began around 4 p.m. and continued for more than four hours, leaving most parts of the capital flooded.

Traffic in the city went haywire, with many traffic signals going on the blink.

The Thiruvananthapuram railway station was flooded, and many trains were delayed as the tracks were submerged.

The records room at the state secretariat was also flooded.

The route to the Ponmudi hill station, 70 km from here, was closed fearing landslides.

Heavy rain hit most parts of the state and the meteorological department has forecast more rain in several places of the state in the next two days.