Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)

Dharwad, May 29: The speeding gale that swept through the city accounted for the loss of three lives on Thursday May 28. A 90-year old banyan tree got uprooted and fell on a stationary tempo, as a result of which, three occupants of the tempo and the vehicle itself were crushed under its weight.  The incident occurred near the veterinary hospital at around 3.30 pm.

The tempo was on a sortie to carry passengers to Kalghatagi town. As it started raining, those inside the tempo went out to have tea. Three persons, including a boy and a woman, who were inside the tempo at the time, died on the spot. They are yet to be identified.

The work to remove the tree by cutting it into pieces was in progress till late night to remove the bodies trapped under its weight. Both the forest department and the city corporation personnel were pressed into service.

The city received heavy hailstorm coupled with strong wind at around 3 pm. Several roads in the city got inundated in water as drains were choked.