Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 30: Unexpectedly heavy downpour coupled with lightning and strong wind which was experienced in coastal Karnataka between Monday night and Tuesday evening has left behind a trail of deaths and devastation. It will take weeks for the administration to take stock of the situation and undertake remedial measures, as it was under prepared for handling a situation, the size of which came as a surprise.

A large number of houses have been damaged due to lightning, rain and wind while many houses have been surrounded by water turning them into virtual islands, making life hell for the inhabitants.

Mohini (60) was buried alive after a mound of earth caved in on the rear side of her home at Udayanagara near KPT here. In another case, Mukta Bai (80) from Kodialbail in the city lost her life after falling into water. Mukta, who was sick and bed-ridden, was compelled to make an attempt to escape when rainwater entered her house and water level kept on increasing. When water level reached up to the height of her cot, she tried to get down, but lost her balance and drowned.

On the day of the reopening of the school after summer vacation, a girl student returning from school was washed away by water overflowing in a stream. Another student who was also getting washed away was rescued by the locals on Tuesday May 29. In another incident which happened on the same day in Karkala taluk, a member of Bailoor gram panchayat (GP) died due to lightning.

Nidhi (9), a fourth standard student of Ganapati School at Padubidri, was washed away by flood water when she was crossing a minor bridge over Patla stream near her home. On account of incessant train, water over overflowing in the stream and excess water was gushing through the road above. The two sisters who were together returning from school were pulled away by the force of water instantly. The locals who jumped to the rescue of the sisters could save Nisha but Nidhi drowned and went out of sight within a fraction of a second.

Padubidri police visited the spot and undertook operation to find out the girl from the stream with the help of experts but failed. Nidhi was the daughter of Umesh Acharya and Asha couple from Patla. Nisha is a sixth standard student.

G P Member

Lightning struck a member of Bailoor FP in Karkala taluk in the early hours of Tuesday May 29. The GP member was deep asleep at her home when lightning caused her instant death. The deceased happened to be Sheela Nalike (35). Her husband, Bhaskar Panara, who was sleeping by the side of Sheela, survived although he too felt shocks of lightning in his hand.

A report about this incident was filed in the town police station, Karkala.

As the meteorogical department has predicted more rains during the next two days, official machinery in both the districts have been kept in high alert and security forces have also been kept in readiness to face any eventuality.