In a devastating turn of events, the tranquility of Kulkunda Basavanamoole near Subrahmanya was shattered when a woman, identified as Meenakshi (67), met with a tragic end. Reports indicate that she was struck by a falling tree amidst gusty winds and heavy rain. The unfortunate incident occurred while she was attempting to retrieve her calf from a nearby plantation.

The weather took a tumultuous turn across various parts of Subrahmanya, Sullia, Kadaba, and Beltnangady taluks, as heavy rain accompanied by lightning and thunder unleashed its fury on Wednesday evening. Particularly, Belthangady taluk bore the brunt of this severe weather, experiencing relentless rain coupled with flashes of lightning and deafening thunder.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast, warning of light to moderate rainfall across Coastal and South Interior Karnataka. Additionally, thunderstorms, lightning, and squally winds ranging from 40-50 kmph are anticipated. In North Interior Karnataka, isolated to scattered instances of light to moderate rainfall are expected, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph. This forecast spans the next seven days.

The IMD’s predictions paint a picture of concern for coastal and South Interior Karnataka, as heavy rainfall is expected to persist until May 18. This ominous weather pattern is attributed to a cyclonic circulation hovering over the Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Kerala.

As the region grapples with these challenging weather conditions, it is imperative for residents to exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols. Authorities are advised to remain vigilant and ensure that necessary measures are in place to mitigate potential risks posed by the inclement weather.

In conclusion, the tragic demise of Meenakshi serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable and often perilous nature of our environment. While we cannot control the forces of nature, we can certainly take proactive steps to safeguard ourselves and our communities against its wrath. Stay informed, stay safe.

In response to a surge in accidents attributed to over-speeding, Bengaluru Traffic Police have implemented stringent measures on the Kempegowda International Airport Road. The recent installation of speed trap cameras aims to catch and fine drivers exceeding the 80kmph speed limit on this busy stretch.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru Traffic), MN Anucheth, emphasized the necessity of these measures, stating, “Given increasing road traffic accidents on Kempegowda International Airport Road, particularly due to over-speeding by drivers/riders, and to enhance road safety, speed trap cameras have been installed on the stretch of airport road to automatically detect and fine over-speeding traffic violations.”

The decision follows a concerning trend, with the airport road contributing to approximately 9 percent of accidents in Bengaluru. Notably, the elevated expressway (Bellari Road) leading to Kempegowda International Airport has been identified as one of the city’s most accident-prone routes, often witnessing motorists surpassing speeds of 100 kmph.

Statistics reveal a worrisome escalation in accidents on the airport road over the years. From 239 incidents in 2021, the figure rose to 278 in 2022 and further spiked to 322 in 2023. The trend persists, with 110 accidents reported between January and April of the current year.

Moreover, Bengaluru has witnessed a general uptick in accidents citywide. The recorded numbers climbed from 3,213 in 2021 to 3,822 in 2022, reaching 4,974 in 2023. As of April 2024, 1,633 accidents have been reported, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced traffic management strategies.

In tandem with these efforts, the Bengaluru Development Authority has initiated construction work to expand the Hebbal flyover. As part of this project, two spans of the KR Puram ramp connecting to the main flyover will undergo dismantling, rendering the ramp non-motorable.

Consequently, the KR Puram up-ramp of the Hebbal flyover will remain closed until the completion of the work. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes, with specific traffic diversions in place:

• Commuters from Nagawara (ORR) bound for the city via Mehkri Circle should divert to Hebbal Circle below the flyover, proceed right towards Kodigehalli, take a U-turn to join the service road, and subsequently merge onto the loop towards the city.
• Travelers from KR Puram heading towards the city are encouraged to utilize the IOC-Mukunda Theater Road and Lingarajapuram flyover route, or opt for the Nagawara-Tannery Road.
• Those commuting from Hegdenagar-Thanisandra can access the city via the GKVK-Jakkur road.
• For commuters journeying from KR Puram towards Yeswantpur, a route below the Hebbal flyover towards BEL Circle is recommended. From BEL Circle, proceed left towards Sadashivanagar police station junction, then take a right turn towards IISc and onwards to Yeswantpur.
• Travelers bound for the airport from KR Puram, Hennur, HRBR Layout, Banasawadi, KG Halli, and surrounding areas are advised to utilize the Hennur-Bagalur Road for smoother access.

These traffic diversions aim to alleviate congestion and streamline traffic flow while ensuring commuter safety amidst ongoing infrastructural developments. With proactive measures in place, authorities are committed to enhancing road safety and curbing traffic-related incidents in Bengaluru.

Multiple schools across different areas of Bengaluru found themselves grappling with panic as they received ominous bomb threat emails in the early hours of Tuesday. Among the institutions targeted were Bangalore Scottish School, Bhavan Bangalore Press School, Chitrakoota School, Deeksha High School, Edify School, Gangothri International Public School, Giridhanva School, and Jain Heritage School. The threatening emails, received around 12:20 am, claimed the presence of explosive devices within the school premises, set to detonate imminently.

“I have placed explosive devices inside your building,” the chilling message, obtained by DH, stated. “They will explode in the following hours. This isn’t a threat, you have a few hours to disarm the bomb or else the blood of innocent people inside of the building will be on your hands.” The sender purported to be part of a group named “Court,” adding an additional layer of fear and mystery to the situation.

Swift action ensued as school authorities promptly alerted the police upon discovering the emails on Tuesday morning. Law enforcement agencies swiftly initiated thorough searches of the premises, assuring concerned parents and staff. However, after a meticulous investigation, the police concluded that the threats were unsubstantiated, branding them as hoaxes.

Speaking to DH, a senior police officer emphasized, “Cases would be booked at respective police stations once formal complaints are received. It was a hoax email. It will be investigated.” The challenge in such cases lies in tracing the origins of the emails, particularly when sent through encrypted platforms and utilizing VPN or proxy servers.

Unveiling the technical complexities of the investigation, Bengaluru police commissioner Dayananda revealed during a press briefing, “When the email IDs were observed [in past instances], it came to light that Virtual Private Network (VPN) and proxy servers were used. Hence, it was a challenge during investigations. However, efforts were on to trace it with the help of Central agencies and Interpol.”

Interestingly, this incident bears eerie resemblance to a similar episode that unfolded on December 1, 2023, when 70 schools in Bengaluru received bomb threats via email, also declared hoaxes upon investigation. Strikingly, the emails from both instances were traced back to addresses registered with beeble.com, an end-to-end encrypted email provider headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Despite concerted efforts, investigators had been unable to pinpoint the origins of the threats in the previous case, leaving a lingering sense of vulnerability and uncertainty within the community.

As the investigation into the recent spate of bomb threats unfolds, the authorities remain vigilant, determined to ensure the safety and security of educational institutions and the individuals within them. With technology serving as both a tool for communication and a veil for anonymity, the battle against such malicious threats continues, underscoring the imperative for collaborative efforts and technological advancements in safeguarding communities against potential harm.