Showers bring respite in coastal, central Karnataka

Moderate to heavy showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning, lashed parts of coastal districts, north and central Karnataka on Sunday.

The Malnad and plain regions in Uttara Kannada experienced hailstorms on Sunday evening. Family members of Arjun Shindhe at Mainalli village in Mundgod taluk had a close shave as the family was out when a bolt of lightning struck the house. Fairly large hailstones, accompanied by evening showers, lashed Mundgod town and parts of the taluk.

Yellapur, Sirsi and Halyal taluks also received thunderstorms in the day. Kudgi in Vijayapura district too experienced a thunderstorm. Parts of Dakshina Kannada, including Mangaluru, Moodbidiri, Belthangady and Bantwal, received scattered rainfall.

The first pre-monsoon showers brought some respite from soaring temperatures for the parched Hosadurga, Bharamsagar and Chikkajajur taluks in Chitradurga district. The hailstorm, however, has left the farmers in the region worried ahead of the harvest. More such storms would harm arecanut, banana, mango and vegetables, they fear.

A portion of a house near Vinayak theatre at Bharamsagar was damaged following the lightning strike on Sunday late evening. Davangere city and several taluks saw a spell of rain with thunder activity in the evening.

Overcast conditions prevailed all through the day in Shivamogga and Shikaripura taluks and by evening skies opened up. Narasimharajpura and Koppa taluks in Chikkamagaluru also witnessed thunderstorms.

Kollegal town and rural pockets in Chamarajanagar district received showers, accompanied with strong winds, in the evening.