Bhatkal: Heavy rain, winds accompanied with thunderstorm lashed Bhatkal taluk on Saturday caused damages to houses, roads and crops. Life was thrown out of gear as the taluk recieved 200mm rainfall.

Many houses couldn't stand against the force of nature and their roofs blew away due to the strong gust of winds in many places. 3 houses in Mundalli, 2 houses in Belni and a house in Siddique street were damaged when trees fell on them. In Sonarkeri, 2 uprooted trees toppled on the electric poles causing power outages in the whole area. 

Roads were ruined in Kargedde and Azad Nagar after the heavy downpour and compound walls were damaged in Usman Nagar and Sagar road.

Bhatkal tahsildar V N Baadkar told that as of now, we have found six houses damaged and compound walls of another six houses collapsed.

Meanwhile, the onslaught of rain caused massive waterlogging in Sultan street, Main Road, Marikatta, Shamsuddin circle and other rural parts of Bhatkal making it difficult for the pedestrians while rain water entered many shops and houses. A traffic jam ensued in Shamshuddin circle and Ranginkatta for few hours as a result of the rains.

Bhatkal MLA Mankal Vaidya paid visit to rain affected areas of Sonarkeri, Siddique street and Mundalli and assured to provide full  support to those affected. He instructed Bhatkal Tahsildar to help the  people whose houses  collapsed or got damaged due to the heavy rain.

 Zilla Panchayat president Jaishri Moger, Block congress president Vithal Naik, Tahsildar V N Baadkar and many other panchayat members and councillors were present.