Shivamogga: Hailstorms accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed Shivamogga city and surrounding areas on Wednesday evening, causing significant disruption to normal life, raising serious concerns among the farming community.The weather took a dramatic turn around 4pm as dense clouds enveloped the city, leading to heavy rain and hailstones. While the initial sight of hailstones brought joy to some residents, the sheer intensity of the storm forced people to seek shelter indoors to avoid injury.The force of the rain caused tree branches to fall in many areas like Vinoba Nagar. Severe waterlogging was reported on the main roads of Vinoba Nagar. Infrastructure also took a hit, with electrical wires dangling, and tree branches posing a threat to commuters. The storm sparked anxiety among farmers who fear extensive damage to high-value crops like areca nut and mango, which are highly vulnerable to such heavy hailstorms during this season.
