Heavy rain lashes Karnataka, seven die in lightning strikes

Among all casualties, the tragic death of 22-year-old Andhra Pradesh techie, identified as Bhanurekha became the talking point. She got stuck in neck-deep water at KR Circle underpass, just a stone’s throw from Vidhan Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka.

Bengaluru: Heavy rain accompanied by gusty wind lashed various parts of Karnataka including the capital city Bengaluru on Sunday taking seven lives and throwing life out of gear across the state.

The deceased primarily belonged to Chikkamagaluru, Koppala, Mysore, Bellary and Bengaluru besides some other places. Most of the deaths were caused due to lightning. Meanwhile, authorities in rain-battered Bengaluru stepped up efforts to bring the city back to normal. Among all casualties, the death of 22-year-old Andhra Pradesh techie, identified as Bhanurekha became the talking point. She got stuck in neck-deep water at KR Circle underpass, just a stone’s throw from Vidhan Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka.

The young woman, who was travelling in a car with his family members to visit Kabban Park met with an accident when their car, was submerged in water when it was crossing an underpass near KR Circle. There were a total of six people in the car including the driver. Immediately, the locals and the police rushed to the rescue of the occupants of the car. All six, including the woman, were rescued. Rescuers tried to take her to St. Martha's Hospital. The injured woman died on her way to the hospital. The deceased young woman has been identified as Bhanurekha. Later, a dead body of a young man, who was washed away by rainwater was found. The deceased youth has been identified as Lokesh (27), a resident of KP Agrahara. His body was found near Batarayanpur.

Lightning death in Koppal:Srikanta Doddana Gowdra Meti (16) was killed by lightning on Sunday afternoon in Shivpur. Several trees were uprooted throughout the district due to the rain that began on that day. Srikanth, who was injured by lightning, died on his way to the hospital.

Gram Panchayat member dies in lightning:A Gram panchayat member died after being struck by lightning in D Siddapur village of Kudligi taluk of Vijayanagar district on Sunday evening. The deceased has been identified as Mallikarjuna (38). When he went to a field just behind his house on Sunday evening, it started raining and thundering. A lighning struck Mallikarjuna, who died on the spot.

Three die in Mysore:A total of three people died in the district due to thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. Lokesh (55), a farmer at Avarti village near Bettapur in Piriyapatnam taluk, and Harish, another farmer of Manticoppalu village in Hunsur taluk, who was engaged in agricultural activities, too died after they were struck by lighting.

A young man died on the spot when he stepped on an electric wire that fell on the ground while he was working at land in Barase village near Bettapur. In addition, two people who were accompanying him were injured on Saturday. Swami (18) of Doddakoppalu village died while Harish (42) and Sanjay (19) sustained injuries.