Heavy winds accompanied by lighting , thunder and heavy rainfall on Friday morning left several Essequibo Coast homes without their roofs as residents were forced to run for cover.

Around 10:30 hhrs , the storm accompanied by intense rainfall, affected several homes at  Lima were the  roof tops of four homes were blown off. Homes at several other villages were also affected by the storm.

According to eyewitness, Melly Lall, she was sitting in her veranda when she saw her neighbours running out of their yard.

“My neighbour house top flew off, then two houses away more zinc sheet flew off and persons were running out of their houses” Lall said.

Several families suffered losses as electricity supply to most villages were cut. Guyana Power and Light (GPL) officers said that the storm cut a main transmission line at Lima and technicians are currently trying to remedy the situation.

Reports are that telephone and local cable services were affected by the storm. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene after the storm passed.

(Additional reporting by Ravi Mohan)