Five pilgrims killed as tree falls on their vehicle

 Five pilgrims from Mandya were killed after heavy rain and strong winds uprooted a huge tree on the vehicle they were travelling near Madikeri on Sunday.

The deceased are Ramesh (38), Manjula (35), Chikkanna (23), Jayamma (60) and Nagamma (50). The condition of Prema is said to be critical while eight others and being treated for injuries in Government hospital in Madikeri.

A total of 18 persons were returning to Mandya after visiting Kukke Subramanya temple. The tree fell on the moving vehicle as it was raining heavily with gusty winds. In another incident, a truck driver was killed when a huge tree fell on a moving truck at Balehonnur. The deceased is Akhil (45), a resident of Vijayapura in Chikkamagaluru.

A 29-year-old youth who was returning from the funeral of his aunt was killed after a tree fell on him near Ballupet in Sakleshpur taluk on Saturday night. The taluk has been receiving heavy rain for the past three days. With the heavy rain lashing Kodagu district, the district administration has declared holiday for schools, colleges and anganwadi centres in Kodagu on Monday. Vehicles were stranded for more than six hours on Charmadi ghat as a tree uprooted at the eighth curve. Vehicles were stopped at Kottigehara and diverted via Kudremukh to reach coastal districts.

Intermittent rain coupled with gusty wind lashed Dakshina Kannada district. Rain lashed Badami, Koppal, Dharwad and Belagavi while it rained heavily in Uttara Kannada and Karwar districts. Parts of Dharwad and Belagavi districts have been receiving intermittent heavy rains. Heavy rain accompanied with strong winds lashed Uttara Kannada district. A huge tree uprooted in Murdeshwara, damaging seven cars parked beneath it.

Hosanagar taluk in Shivamogga district received heavy rain on Sunday. The bridge across Bellur tank which connects Sagar and Therthahalli has collapsed affecting road connectivity. The water level in Linganamakki reservoir has increased to 1755.15 feet against the maximum of 1,819 feet. Gajanur dam has filled to the brim and 15,900 cusecs of water is being released from seven crest gates. Srujan (9) was washed away in a pond at Kedalagude near Ripponpet.