Unseasonal rains, lightning claims 17 lives in Karnataka

Bangalore, Apr 15: As many as 17 people died in lightning strikes and unseasonal summer rain-related incidents in Karnataka in the last four days, officials said today (April 15).

While lightning claimed 14 lives in nine districts, house collapses triggered by heavy rains left three persons dead, revenue officials said here.

On Thursday, April 14 alone, seven persons were killed in lightning in different places, they said here.

Hassan district accounted for maximum of three deaths due to lightning strikes followed by Shimoga, Chamarajanagar and Haveri (two each) and Ramanagara, Bellary, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Gadag one each.

House collapses killed two persons in Ramanagara and one in Udupi, the officials said.

In Yembhatahalli in Bijapur district, about 35 houses were damaged in the heavy rains, but no casualties were reported, they said.

PTI