Heavy rain wreaks havoc, destroys crops

 Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunder has been lashing several parts of the State since Tuesday. While a youth has been killed after lightning struck him, two others have been severely injured in separate incidents.

 Property and crop worth lakhs have been destroyed due to rain fury.Armugam, 25, a resident of Arsikere Colony in Tarikere taluk in Chikmagalur district was struck dead by lighting on Tuesday night. He was asleep in his hut when the incident occurred. Heavy rain continued to pound Chikmagalur district on Wednesday. A tree fell on the road near Karagadde on Kalasa-Kudremukh Road due to heavy rain. 
Sakleshpur

Two persons were injured after lightning struck them in the taluk on Wednesday evening. Though the rain was normal it was accompanied by gusty winds and thunder.A resident of the JP Nagar in Ballupet, Muthamma, was injured after lightning struck her.

A 13-year-old boy from Madnakere village near Ballupet, Taresh, was also injured. Gusty winds uprooted many trees and electricity poles in the taluk blocking traffic on several roads. 

Hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds that lashed Holenarsipura taluk on Tuesday evening destroying crops worth several lakhs. Hundreds of coconut and arecanut trees were uprooted with winds blowing away asbestos sheets and tiles from the roofs of several house. 

Sandur

Hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds lashed Ankamanaalu village in Sandur taluk of Bellary district on Tuesday night. Banana crop cultivated in 30 acres was completely destroyed. 

Respite for coffee growers

The good rain from the past two days has brought cheers for the coffee growers of Somawarapet taluk in Kodagu district. The coffee growers were worried as the summer showers which are crucial for the flowering of the coffee plants, had already been delayed by a month.

The gowers said due to delayed rain 20 pc of the yield had already been lost. But the rain has brought some respite for the growers.

However, the rain also brought a set of miseries. Trees were uprooted in several areas and electricity poles too collapsed in many areas depriving people of power supply.