The weather turned dramatic after a day of scorching heat, with Manchi, Bolanthur and neighbouring villages witnessing intense lightning, gusty winds and rain from around 3.30 pm.

In Manchi village, a Kalpavriksha tree believed to be more than a century old, located near Montimaru Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, was uprooted by the powerful winds and crashed onto the roof of the temple hall. The impact damaged the cement-sheet roofing of the structure.

Fortunately, no one was inside the hall when the tree fell, averting a potential tragedy. However, local devotees and members of the temple committee were reportedly attending a meeting in an adjacent hall within the temple premises at the time of the incident.

Local village revenue officials visited the spot, inspected the damage and carried out a preliminary assessment of the losses.

In a separate incident at Dasamadaka in Bolanthur village, a tree fell on the house of Lalitha Thimmappa Ranya, causing partial damage to the building. No injuries were reported.

Another house was damaged at Kallapapu in Baltila village, where a coconut tree crashed onto the residence of Nanyappa Poojary.

Cloudy conditions prevailed across BC Road and other parts of Bantwal taluk through the evening. Later, from around 7.30 pm, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed the region for nearly an hour, disrupting normal life and leaving behind a trail of damage in several localities.