Karnataka : Rains in South, Blazing sun in North
Bangalore, Apr 14 (DHNS) : Widespread rains in parts of southern parts of the State have brought cheer to farmers even as northern, coastal and Malnad districts continued to reel under sizzling heat with mercury hovering around 40 degrees centigrade.
According to reports reaching here, Mysore, Hassan, Tumkur, Kolar, Bangalore, Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts have received rains in the last few days and the farmers are preparing to sow.
The rains were accompanied by gusty winds and lightning wrought havoc in some taluks and standing crops were destroyed, mostly by hail storm. It was a double whammy for mango growers in Srinivaspur, a major producer of the king of fruits. Already hit by unseasonal rains and unusual wintry conditions, growers were pinning hopes on salvaging something. But the rains caused fruit fall at a few places, dashing the hopes of growers. According to sources, the mango yield this year is likely to be substantially lower.
In Tumkur district, rains were widespread and farmers are getting ready for sowing operations. Two people sustained burns when lightning struck them in Tiptur. Although parts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Chikmagalur remained cloudy throughout the day, none of the four district received any rain.
While growers in Kodagu and Chikmagalur were waiting for the rains to help coffee flowers blossom, the people in coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi were hoping for the rain to escape from the oppressive heat. The frequent power cuts in the coastal districts have heightened the misery.
North Karnataka continued to have dry, searing spell. Scorching heat is forcing people to stay indoors for most part of the day, and sleep out in the open at night because of frequent load shedding.
For the first time in recent decades, Hubli recorded 39 degree celsius, while the mercury level has crossed 43.4 degree celsius in Gulbarga, Raichur, and Bellary. Farmers are hoping for early showers to take up sowing activities. Drinking water shortage has become acute as tanks and rivers are drying up fast. Cold drink sellers and ice creams parlours are doing brisk business as the people depend on them to beat the heat.
Mysore/Hassan/Chamarajanagar:
Six persons were injured when lightning struck them in Hassan taluk on Wednesday. Several trees were uprooted and more than 20 houses have been damaged in the rains. Vehicle traffic was affected in many places in the district.
Mohammed Zabeer and Mohammed Zaheer, brothers who were returning home after working in fields at Gullenahalli village in Salagame hobli, were injured when lightning struck them. Four women, Latha, Meena, Savantri and Pramila were injured when struck by lightning while harvesting ginger at Bhumigere village near Makurli. They have been admitted to the district hospital.
In Mysore, rains lashed for more than one hour for the third consecutive day. Trees were uprooted near Vidyaranyapuram and V V Mohalla. Rains accompanied with hailstone started around 7 pm and lasted for an hour. Chamarajanagar received rains for about 10 minutes.
The Meteorological Department has forecast rain/thundershowers at a few places over South Interior Karnataka, isolated places over Coastal Karnataka and mainly dry weather will prevail over North interior Karnataka till Friday.