Monsoon gains momentum, widespread rain in Karnataka

Heavy rains, thunderstorm and gusty winds damaged over 50 houses and destroyed crops in farm lands across Ballari district on Sunday.

It also rained heavily in North Karnataka, Central Karnataka and parts of South Karnataka, wreaking havoc at many places. Water level at lakes and and check dams shot up, while farming activities at several places took off. Heavy rains paralysed normal life and brought down many trees in Ballari city on Sunday.

Trees fell on electric poles disrupting power supply. Many areas plunged into darkness and power was not restored till Monday night. Traffic movement on several roads was hampered. At a few places, residents themselves cleared trees from the roads as corporation authorities did not arrive even beyond 11 am on Monday. Youth Empowerment and Sports Department’s multi gym and swimming pool were shut down on Monday as windowpanes and glasses in the office were damaged. The road below railway under bridge near district stadium was submerged in rain water and vehicular began post noon.

It rained heavily at many areas of Molakalmuru and Challakere of Chitradurga district. A bridge across a stream at Gojanur in Lakshmeshwar in Gadag district was submerged halting traffic movement. There was heavy rainfall at Belagavi City, Bailhongal, Gokak, Chikkodi and Hirebagewadi and adjoining villages. There were reports of rain in Kodagu district.

It rained moderately in Dharwad, but heavily in Hubballi submerging Kempageri road. Children at Ingalgi village were evacuated and ferried in a tractor following flash flood in the stream near the school. Traffic movement between Saunshi and Gudgeri in Kundagol taluk in Dharwad district was cut off as Gugihalla overflowed.

Heavy rains in Mysuru brought down Congress party Minorities Wing president Fairoz Khan’s two-storey house at Ghousianagar. There were no casualties. Trees were uprooted at many places. Mandya city and parts of the district received a good spell of rain.