Rain claims seven lives in Mysore district

Mysore, May 2 (UNI) Seven people, including three women died following heavy rain in Mysore District early today.

Deputy Commissioner S Selvakumar said four fishermen were killed when lightning struck them. They were sleeping on the banks of river Lakshmanathirtha after putting fishing nets at Hosuru Kallahalli in K R Nagara Taluk in the district. Two other fishermen sustained burns.

The victims were identified as Yogensha (28), Venkate Gowda (40) Ravi Gowda (40) and Mahadev (40). The injured were admitted to Government Hospital in K R Nagara.

In the city, a mother and her two teenaged daughters were washed away in flash flood at Bannimantappa Extension.

The victims were sleeping in a hut near a big drain when rain water gushed into the hut. While the three were swept away into the drain, hut owner Sudhara escaped.

The bodies of the victims identified as Mallaraviji (35), Deepu (16) and Diviya (14), were yet to be recovered.

Minister G T Deve Gowda visited the spot and ordered removal of 50 mud huts put up near the drainage.

Asking the officials to make alternative arrangements for them, the Minister said compensation would be announced after the bodies were retrieved.

UNI