Monsoon fails to gain momentum in State

There was scattered rainfall in the State in the last couple of days. But the showers were not on expected lines.

There were  intermittent rains at Bhatkal and Karwar on Saturday night and Sunday in Uttara Kannada districts. There was moderate rain in Honnavar, Kumta and Ankola. There was drizzling in Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur. Haliyal, Joida and Mundgod had cloudy weather.

Fire persons who were stranded on an artificial island created due to flash floods in the Yaranal stream were rescued successfully, in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district. Fire fighters, police personnel and revenue officials continued the rescue operations till 2 am on Sunday and those trapped were shifted to safer places.

A Tata Ace goods vehicle was stuck in flash floods caused due to the excess rain on Saturday. A tractor coming behind the goods vehicle, with four persons on board, was stopped by the driver to save the goods vehicle and its driver.

But suddenly, the flood water marooned all of them. They started crying for help. Navalgund MLA N H Konareddy, Deputy Commissioner Rajendra Cholan, Superintendent of Police Lokesh Kumar, along with fire fighters and police personnel rushed to the spot. The rescue operation continued till the wee hours of Sunday.

After a long lull, some parts of Shimoga district witnessed scanty rain on Sunday. Though most parts of the district witnessed cloudy weather throughout the day, only scanty rain lashed the region.

Crop loss

Farmers, who have already sown seeds, are fearing losses to crops due to scanty rain. Shimoga, Bhadravati, Hosanagar, some parts of Sorab and Teerthahalli received scanty rain.
Bellary district, including the city, received showers for an hour on Sunday evening, after a gap of one month. Low-lying areas were waterlogged.

The rains brought relief to the people from sweltering heat. Farmers had a reason to cheer as it rained for an hour from 2 pm in and around Kenchanagudda in Siraguppa taluk of the district. The farmers in the district are waiting for the skies to open up, so that sowing activities can be taken up.

There was drizzling in Dakshina Kannada district on Sunday and the sky remained overcast the whole day. There was moderate rain in the region on Saturday night.