Friday, May 20 2005 14:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: High tide and rising of sea waves caused panic in parts of Kerala coast today (May 20, 2005) but no casualty or major damage to properties had been reported.

On-shore surge of sea waves was reported from Srayeekkal in Kollam district, Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram and Peringana in Thrissur, official sources said.

Revenue and police officials who visited the wave-lashed areas said there was no cause for any apprehension.

In Poovar, about 200 families had been moved to a school building. No serious damage to houses were reported there but a road linking fishing hamlets was flooded causing traffic disruption, local people said.

In Srayeekkal, where the memories of the Killer tsunami are still fresh in the minds of the coastal folk, people ran helter skelter on seeing the seawaters rise in the morning.

Some building material kept in the beach was washed away by the waves, local people said.

In Peringanam in Thrissur two huts were damaged after being hit by strong waves.

Similar waves had struck two coastal hamlets on the outskirts of the city two days back, submerging about 50 huts.