In two separate incidents, one person was killed and four others were injured when lightning struck at Bachanahalli in the taluk on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Madappa (50). Three of the injured are Kemparaju, Kemparaju’s son Tejas, and Pavan. It is said that the four of them were at their ginger farm when heavy rains accompanied by thunder lashed the taluk. They took refuge under a tree, when a lightning struck. Madappa was killed on the spot and the others were injured. The villagers, who heard their screams, rushed them to the Alur government hospital. They were later shifted to the district hospital in Hassan.
In another incident, Gowramma, 65, suffered injuries when lightning struck her house. She is also being treated at the government hospital. The roof of her house was blown away in the impact and the household articles have been damaged. Tahsildar K V Ananthraj, who visited the hospital, announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the deceased.
In Kalasa
Kalasa and surrounding regions received moderate rainfall on Friday afternoon. Last Tuesday the town received its first rainfall, making this the second shower this summer.
The 30-minute rainfall accompanied by thunder has been a refreshing spell for the crops. The summer temperatures that had risen to 37 to 38 degrees Celsius has also come down after the shower.