Showers claimed 16 lives in 3 districts

The pre-monsoon showers in Bellary, Koppal, Gadag and Haveri districts have so far claimed 16 lives, besides damaging standing crops on vast tracts of land.

Several places in Bellary district have received light to moderate rainfall. As many as six persons have lost their lives due to lightning and other rain-related incidents till now.

Standing crops, particularly paddy in hundreds of acres, has been washed away by rainwater.

Koppal and Gadag are the worst-hit districts. Horticulture crops including lemon, musambi, watermelon, grape and vegetables worth crores of rupees were badly hit due to the heavy downpour in Koppal district.

Loss estimate

The officials from the Agriculture department said that agriculture crops had not suffered much damage while the officials of the Horticulture department put the loss at Rs three crore. A farmworker was struck dead by lightning in Karatagi.

Pre-monsoon showers have caused immense damage to horticulture crops in Gadag district. Six people have lost lives in rain-related incidents in the district.

Farmers in Gadag, Ron and Naragund taluks have suffered losses due to the downpour. Officials of the Revenue department are yet to estimate the extent of damage in Bellary and Gadag districts as of now.

Haveri district has received average pre-monsoon rains.  Three persons - one in Hangal and two in Ranebennur - were killed when lightning struck them.