Chikkamagaluru: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds disrupted normal life in the Malnad region of the district on Friday evening, after a week of mixed weather conditions.

For the past week, the region had been experiencing a combination of heat and rain. On Friday, intense rainfall in the evening brought relief from the daytime heat but also caused inconvenience to residents due to gusty winds.

Areas including Kottigehara, Banakal, Aldur, and Mattikatte witnessed thunderstorms and strong winds. The sudden downpour affected road traffic, leaving commuters struggling to move.

There are also concerns that the unseasonal hailstorm may damage coffee plantations and arecanut crops in the region.

Relief for farmers:
In recent days, the district had been facing severe heat, making it difficult for farmers to irrigate coffee and arecanut crops. The recent rainfall over the past week has brought some relief and improved conditions for cultivation.