BIJAPUR: Heavy rains that lashed Bijapur and elsewhere in the district disrupted power supply for more than 14 hours. However, it gave the much-needed relief to people who were suffering from scorching heat.

The rain will help farmers to prepare their fields for sowing operations. Sowing is likely to be taken up in 2.5 lakh hectares of land during the kharif season.

Rain coupled with gusty wind uprooted several trees and electric poles disrupting power supply. In Bijapur, localities such as Jalanagar, Viveknagar, Ganesh Nagar, Srinagar, Kanakadasa Badavane, Shastrinagar, Al-Ameen Medical College Colony, Ashram Road, Gurupadeshwar Nagar and Old Industrial Area were plunged into darkness for whole of the night.

Several people complained that they tried to contact the Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) staff but in vain. The officials, though in private, admitted that they could hardly do anything when power was disrupted on such a large-scale, that too during night hours. The continued rain also hampered the repairs.

While Basavanabagewadi and Bijapur taluks received maximum rainfall of 38.8 mm and 37.3 mm, Muddebihal, Sindagi and Indi taluks recorded 16.7 mm, 13.7 and 5.2 mm rainfall respectively. Bijapur city recorded an average rainfall of 51.2 mm.

Waterlogging

Several hours after the rain stopped, many areas, including Navabag, Shikarkhana and Meenakshi Chowk were under water. Vehicular traffic was disrupted due to waterlogging on many roads.

The district administration hoped that the rain would ease drinking water scarcity to some extent.

According to official sources, internal water sources had completely dried up in 95 villages, and they were getting water through tankers. The rain was likely to recharge some borewells in these affected villages, they said.

Water supply disrupted

Staff Correspondent reports from Bidar

People in Bidar suffered intermittent power cuts that lasted for a total of 36 hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company officials said heavy rains in parts of the district had damaged the supply infrastructure such as poles and cables at several places.

The scorching heat added to the problem. Water supply was disrupted in half the town as there was no power.

Many commercial establishments and other facilities had to be shut down. Work in schools, colleges and government offices was affected. Offices of the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police functioned with emergency lights.

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