Mangalore: Rain, Lightning Wreak Havoc - Vehicles Damaged, Fisherman Drowns
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Nov 3: Heavy rain coupled with lightning and thunder was experienced all over the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada on Wednesday November 2. While landslide at the parking lot of an apartment complex in the city resulted in damages to some vehicles, a fisherman drowned after lightning struck him.
The rain, which started with a drizzle on Wednesday evening, turned into downpour in course of time at several places. Water flowing on the roads in the city and Beltangady,Ujire, Dharmasthala, Madantyar, Subrahmanya, Puttur and other places looked like flood. This caused traffic snarls at some places.
At around 4.30 pm on Wednesday, landslide occurred at the parking lot of Sharada Residencey apartment complex at Matadakani in the city, causing some vehicles to slide down into a newly formed ditch. Three cars and a motor bike were damaged in the incident.
Ramesh Shriyan (54), a fisherman from Hejmady, who was engaged in fishing on his country boat near Padubidri, drowned after he was hit by lightning at around 3.30 pm on Wednesday. Harishchandra Bangera (40), another fisherman, who was with Shriyan at the time, too suffered shocks and fell into the sea. But he was rescued by another fisherman named Lokanath Suvarna. The oar in Shriyan’s hand got pulverised in the incident. Bangera, who sustained injuries to his right hand, was admitted into a private hospital in Padubidri. The body of Shriyan could not be found even after search.
Lightning also damaged wiring, electrical, and electronic equipments at various places. Power went off at several places. A person named Shashikala, wife of Rajendra, residing near Anekere in Karkala, was hospitalized after lightning struck her home. Walls and flooring of her home developed cracks, television set and wiring were damaged, and tiles blew away. Several people from Kasargod district also suffered injuries due to lightning.
The meteorological department has stated that cyclonic storm is moving towards the west, and asked the district administrations of coastal districts to be in readiness to face any eventuality. The department has predicted heavy rains in the coastal belt during the next two days. Fishermen have been warned by district administrations not to venture into the sea.
The agonizing wait of the farmers to harvest their paddy crop has not yet been over. If rains continue, the prospects of reaping a good crop will turn bleak.