Heavy pre-monsoon rains wreak havoc in Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 22 (UNI) A 50-year-old woman was washed away and heavy property loss was reported as heavy pre-monsoon rains lashed many parts of South Interior Karnataka, including the city since midnight last night.

City police said a 50-year-old women, who stayed back in her small roadside shop due a to heavy downpour, was washed away in the gushing rain waters in Ulsoor. Many other such shops were washed away and water inundated many low-lying areas.

Reports said heavy rains were reported in Bangalore urban and rural districts, with the city recording the heaviest 80 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours.

In the city, hundreds of trees were uprooted and huge branches fell on roads, disrupting traffic for some time. Power supply was disrupted in some areas.

Officials said apart from the city, heavy rain was also reported from Haveri, Sakleshpur and Raichur. Damage was reported from a cotton pressing factory in Haveri due to lightning.

The areas affected in Bangalore include Shivaji Nagar, J P Nagar, Koramangala, Indiranagar, Ulsoor, Banashankari, Old Byappanahalli and Mariappana Palya.

Meanwhile, Bangalore Corporation officials came under flak from the public for not ensuring that clogs in storm water ways were cleared.

Corporation Commissioner P Jairaj, however, said the Corporation had initiated steps to clear storm water drains and the work was proceeding on a war footing.

The weather offices said more rains were forecast for today evening or night over South Interior Karnataka and the city.

UNI