Rains continue to lash Mangaluru, other parts of Karnataka

Mangaluru, May 12: Moderate to heavy rains coupled with lighting and thunders continued to lash Mangaluru and other parts of Dakashina Kannada district for the second consecutive day on Thursday.

The pre-monsoon showers have brought a great relief to the people in coastal Karnataka.

The rains accompanied with lightning and thunder lashed Belthangady, Sullia and Puttur taluks too. Though power supply was disrupted in many areas, the rains have brought hope of water reaching Thumbe dam, which supplies drinking water to Mangaluru.

According to a press release issued by mayor on Wednesday, the water-level at Thumbe dam is enough only for a day.

Other parts of Karnataka

Several districts in Karnataka state also continued to receive good rainfall on Thursday.

Stray incidents of rain-related damages have been reported from various parts of the state. Heavy rains lashed Belagavi city and the surrounding villages in Belagavi taluk and at M K Hubli town and the surrounding villages in Bailhongal taluk for about an hour on Thursday evening. Downpour also provided respite from scorching heat, bringing down day-time temperatures.

Rains combined with winds and thunders resulted in crop loss and roof tiles of a few houses blew away at M K Hubli, causing huge losses.

Cloudy environs prevailed in Belagavi taluk since noon and the skies opened up in the evening for about an hour. Strong winds and thunders accompanied the downpour. City and most of the villages received heavy rains bringing the temperature down. There were no reports of damages related to rainfall.

At M K Hubli, a woman suffered injuries after the roof tiles of a few houses blew away in the heavy downpour that was accompanied by winds. Banana plantains cultivated by farmers in M K Hubli and the surrounding areas were damaged.

Mundgod, Yellapur, Sirsi and Siddapur taluks in Uttar Kannada district received good rainfall on Thursday.

Banana plantations cultivated on at least 50 acres of land have been destroyed in the rains, accompanied by gusty winds.

Various taluk places in the district, including Shivamogga city, received moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Sagar, Bhadravathi, Hosanagar and Thirthahalli taluks have received good rainfall.

Lighting claims a life

A daily wage labourer lost her life and three others suffered injuries after lightning struck them on Thursday in Chikkamagaluru.

The deceased, Rathnamma (52), was a resident of Sintikere village in Arsikere taluk. The injured are Ratna, Sharada and Basamma, all from the same village. All of them were working in a coffee plantation and were taking shelter under a tree after lunch when the lightning struck them. The rains lashed for about an hour in Mudigere and surrounding areas too.