Shimoga, March 29 (DHNS) : Heavy rain lashed interior parts of Karnataka on Monday evening providing much needed relief to the people from the heat. 

Heavy downpour was reported from Bhadravathi, Chitradurga, Santhenahalli, Hiriyur, Bommanakatte and Jedikatte villages.

In Bhadravati town normal life was paralysed. Rain accompanied by heavy wind and lightning which began at 6 pm lasted for about 30 minutes. Power supply was disrupted as transmission lanes were damaged by  gushing winds.

Roads were logged with water disrupting movement of vehicles. As the drainages were choked, water entered low-lying areas including Dr Ambedkar Colony and Kumbarakeri.
Hailstorm uprooted hundreds of trees and electric poles were broken in Santhenahalli in the taluk and surrounding areas. The rain which began around 4 pm was accompanied by strong winds. Tiles of the houses flew off and asbestos sheets were blown apart and found lying in nearby fields. Coconut, arecanut, mango, tamarind, jackfruit, banyan and other trees were uprooted.

In Chitradurga there was a heavy rain along with strong wind. It started around 4.30 pm and lasted for half-an-hour.

Cloudy weather prevailed in Shimoga, Shikaripur, Sorab, Sagar, Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluks in the evening.

Rain brought relief to the people of Malnad as mercury level had touched 39 degree mark in most parts during third week of March. No casualties were reported from any part of the district.