Bangalore, Sep 28 (DHNS) : Heavy rains lashed Mysore, Mandya, Hassan and Shimoga and several North Karnataka districts on Thursday.

Rains started to pound Mysore at 5.30 pm and continued for more than two hours.

Water gushed into houses in the low-lying areas of Tilaknagar and Paduvarahalli in the city.

As water entered the hostel of the School for the Blind, visually-impaired students had a tough time packing their luggage and moving to a safer place.

In Hassan, rain started lashing the city at 3.30 pm and continued for more than half an hour.

With strong wind preceding the rain, several electricity poles were uprooted in various parts of the city. Traffic was affected after trees were uprooted near K R Puram, Shankarmutt Road, R C Road and near the residence of the superintendent of police.

Heavy rains lashed various parts of Mandya district, including K R Pet and Srirangapatna, for more than two hours. Traffic near Mahaveer Circle in Mandya was disrupted due to waterlogging.

The makeshift shelter put up by the district Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti for holding protests, opposing the directions of the Cauvery River Authority to the State to release water to Tamil Nadu, collapsed due to the rain. However, no one was injured.

Heavy rainfall, accompanied by lightning, claimed a boy’s life in Shikaripur taluk of Shimoga district. Amjad, 9, died on the spot after he was struck by lightning, while walking on Pumphouse Street at Shiralakoppa of Shikaripur taluk. Two boys, Mallik Kariya and Mallik, sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at the government hospital at Shiralakoppa.

Rain also lashed Bhadravathi town. The downpour brought cheer to maize farmers, as the crops were withering due to the dry spell over the last week. Five people were injured after they were struck by lightning at Bairanayakanahalli in Huliyurdurga hobli of Kunigal taluk, Tumkur district.

There were no reports of rain in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Chikmagalur districts.