Heavy rains batter coastal districts of Karnataka

Bangalore, May 30 (UNI) The death toll in the unprecedented rainfall battering the coastal districts of Karnataka rose to ten with eight deaths reported today, even as the fate of six fishermen was still unknown with the south-west monsoon, which had set in a week ahead, wreaking havoc and causing widespread damage since Sunday.

The body of a fisherman, reported missing, was swept ashore last night as record rainfall lashed the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, besides Belgaum and Dharwad.

Three people died in Dharwad district in rain-related incidents.

While Two more people fell victim to monsoon fury in Udupi district, one person was charred to death as lightning struck in Belgaum, official sources told UNI.

One crew member was drowned and 21 others airlifted by the Coast Guard from a sinking merchant ship bearing Singapore flag off Karwar coast.

Yesterday, eight fishermen, who had ventured into the sea from Malpe in Udupi district, were reported missing. One body was recovered in the evening and another late in the night, while the fate of the other six are still unknown.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy rushed to Udupi district to take stock of the situation and exhorted the district officials to expeditiously take up relief works.

A pall of gloom descended Malpe fishing harbour near Udupi, where more than 100 fishing boats, which had ventured into the sea 12 days ago, were still stranded in the rough sea.

UNI TEAM-RS GD MA KP2004