Thunderstorm and Rain Disrupts Power Supply

Report and Pictures by Eugene and Anil Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubellle, 24 April 2010: Heavy thunderstorm accompanied with lightening and heavy showers disrupted power supply since early morning of Saturday, 24th April 2010. After mid-night as the sky was overcast and lightening started, the Mescom switched off the light. From around 2.30 am the intensity of lightning and thunder began to intensify. With the passage of time gusty winds with few showers began to shake coconut and other trees resulting in the fall of a number of dry coconuts and palm leaves.

At around 4.30 it started raining, though not heavy, was a pleasant respite from the unbearable heat. The parched land too welcomed the showers. At around 5 am the thunderstorm receded and drizzling continued up to about 7am. The telephone service was also hit due to the thunderstorm. However, it resumed by 8 am.

The heavy storm has caused considerable damage in some places. The collapse of a large tree on  Kukkikatte-Diana-Udupi road has caused great inconvenience to the vehicular traffic. Some trees have fallen at Nellikatte, Kuntalanagar and Tabail due to which the electric power supply has been adversely affected. The asbestos sheets from the roof of the shed storing firewood have been blown off and pieces were found on the road. The iron sheets from the roof of the old house which has been used as storage place were also blown off and found on the edge of the well of the neighbour.

According to the linemen of Mescom, the damage caused by the storm and collapse of the trees on power wires is quite heavy and would take quite some time before the power supply is restored.