Rain claims life, damages properties

Rain wreaked havoc in many parts of the State, including a death of a person due to lightning since Monday evening.

Raju alias Chinga, aged 46, was killed after struck by lightning at Nakre Manigudde in Kukkunduru village in Karkala taluk, Udupi district Monday night. According to police, Chinga, a dailywage labourer, was sleeping in his house when the tragedy struck.

Normal life was thrown out of gear at many places in Chitradurga district and caused heavy property losses on Monday night. More than 150 acrecanut trees and 50 coconut trees were uprooted following rain and heavy winds at Chikkaguntanur village of Chitradurga taluk. The compound wall of the government primary school collapsed at Bommanahalli village. An electrical transformer and six electricity poles were also uprooted. The asbestos roofing and tile roofing of 50 houses were blown away in the village. The losses are estimated to be in lakhs of rupees.

There were reports of rain for over two hours in various places across Bellary district on Monday night. A total of 95 houses were badly damaged in Kudligi taluk of the district. Many cattle lost their lives due to the rain fury.

There were reports of pre-monsoon showers in Koppal district also, while people continued to suffer in the scorching summer heat in Raichur, Bidar and Yadgir districts. There were reports of light showers in Gulbarga on Tuesday.

The entire Dakshina Kannada district received rain after 11 pm on Monday, giving respite to the people from the scorching heat. There were reports of good rain in the neighbouring Udupi district too. Heavy rain was reported in Chikmagalur, with a house being damaged by lightning in Narasimharajapura. Trees were uprooted in some places.