The Hindu : Front Page : Rain claims 22 lives in State

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Saturday, Apr 16, 2011
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Rain claims 22 lives in State

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Heavy rain lashed several parts of the State, claiming 22 lives until Friday evening.

While some died after branches of trees fell on them, the majority — 16 people — died after being struck by lightning.

Rain-related deaths were reported from Bangalore Rural, Ramanagaram, Hassan, Shimoga, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Bellary, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Gadag districts.

Three people were killed in Devanahalli taluk, and there were reports of house collapse in other taluks of Bangalore Rural district on Friday. Two persons were killed in Ramanagaram and one in Udupi when their houses collapsed.

As many as 35 houses were damaged in rain at Yembhatahalli in Bijapur district although no casualties were reported from here.

Heaviest in Haveri

The heaviest rainfall was in Haveri district (100 mm), while parts of Belgaum, Uttara Kannada, Gadag and Chikmagalur recorded 80 mm rain.

Many parts of Kolar district also received rain.

Bangalore city remained overcast on Friday, but recorded a modest 5.4 mm while HAL airport received 8 mm rain.

The meteorological centre here said that the rain was not unseasonal. It was a pre-monsoon thundershower that occurred in the State between March and May, said the duty officer at the Met centre here.

Cyclonic circulation

A cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal, along with two other weather systems in the Bay and in the Arabian Sea, was responsible for the rainfall, the official added. He, however, said that it was unlikely that the cyclonic circulation would turn into a cyclone. “We are not expecting a cyclone, at least not for the next 48 hours,” he told The Hindu.

According to the 48-hour forecast, every district in the State can expect moderate rain.

Siddaiah, BBMP Commissioner, urged people to be cautious, steer clear of trees and electric poles to avoid accidents during rain.

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