Rain havoc in South Karnataka claims five lives

At least five persons were killed and fifteen others suffered injuries as heavy rains accompanied by gutsy winds lashed several parts of southern Karnataka on Thursday evening.

Though the soaring mercury levels were brought down, the heavy downpour left a trail of destruction in many parts of south Karnataka. Hundreds of trees and electricity poles were uprooted, leading to chaos on the roads and water-logging of low-lying areas.

Three persons who were travelling in an autorickshaw in Channarayapatna in Hassan district were killed when a huge tree crashed on their vehicle. Two occupants of the autorickshaw as well as the driver died on the spot, police said.

Misfortune struck a tourist party in Mysore when a huge tree collapsed on their four-wheeler in the heavy rains. Two youths – Shaji and Sharief – died on the spot while three others were admitted to a local hospital in Mysore.

The tourist party comprising ten members from Kozhikode in neighouring Kerala were on a visit to Mysore when the tragedy struck. The tourist part had barely checked out of their hotel and set out in their four-wheeler towards Kozhikode when the heavy downpour brought a tree crashing down on their vehicle.

Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles across Bangalore were crushed under the weight of trees and electricity poles that had been uprooted in the showers. A total of twelve persons were admitted to the hospital in Bangalore after they suffered injuries due to rains. Several areas went without power throughout the night on Thursday and a good part of Friday on account of the incessant downpour.

There was virtual chaos on the roads which had been blocked by uprooted trees and electricity poles. Many low lying areas were inundated with water, forcing the residents to find shelter elsewhere.