Heavy rain wreaks havoc in different parts of state

Lightning claimed lives two farmers in Bagepalli taluk in Chikballapur district on Monday, while pre-monsoon rain destroyed fruits gardens and vegetable farms lands in the region.

The deceased have been identified as Narasimhappa (60) and Sadashiva (48) of Ramanoddampalli village in Bagepalli taluk of Chikkaballapur district. Rain accompanied with hailstorm and gusty winds lashed many villages of Bagepalli taluk for more than an hour.

Besides grape gardens, the rain destroyed mulberry and papaya gardens and mango grooves.

"I was expecting 150 tonnes of grapes. I've incurred losses of Rs 50 lakh," said B N Chinnappa, a farmer from Gundlamandikal in Chikkaballapur taluk.

There were reports of electric poles and trees coming crashing down in Kunigal (Tumakuru district) and Kudligi taluks (Ballari district).

Horticulture produces and other crops worth Rs 100 crore are estimated to have been damaged due to heavy rain on last Friday and Monday.