Shivamogga records copious pre-monsoon rain; tree-fall hits traffic on NH 69

Bengaluru: Pre-monsoon showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning, lashed Malnda districts - Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu - on Monday.

Skies opened up in Shivamogga city in the evening and it continued to pour well into the night. The showers brought down temperatures giving some relief from scorching heat.

Hosanagar, Sagar and Thirthahalli taluks also received thundershowers, coupled with gusty winds. Traffic on Shivamogga-Sagar (NH 69) was disrupted after a massive tree came crashing on the road near Yedehalli petrol pump. Vehicles plying to Shivamogga from Sagar travelled via Ripponpet-Ayanur as the downpour created hurdles in clearing the tree. The road was restored for traffic late Monday night.

Several parts of Kodagu, including Madikeri, Somawarpete and Napoklu, witnessed heightened thunder activity on Monday evening. The hilly district however didn't receive rains.

Holalkere taluk in Chitradurga district saw a sharp spell of showers on Monday. The showers turned the Vishwanathanahalli gram panchayat office premises at Aavinahatti into a lake.

Chikkamagaluru and parts of the district saw a moderate spell of rain on Monday. The district had received good spells of pre-monsoon showers in the last two days.

After a brief lull, rains returned to Hubballi city. A good spell of shower in the afternoon gave some respite from heat.