A 50-year-old man lost his life after a tree branch crashed onto him while he was riding his motorcycle during a spell of heavy rain and strong winds in Chikkamagaluru district on Monday.

The deceased, Anil Ruzario, was a resident of Kadabagere Bilukoppa. He was en route to Balehonnur on his bike when the tragic incident occurred near Elekalalu on the Balehonnur–Chikkamagaluru road. The falling branch inflicted critical head injuries. Despite the swift response from fire and police personnel, he succumbed to his wounds at the hospital, confirmed Superintendent of Police Vikram Amathe.

The district, including areas like Mudigere, Kottigehara, Kalasa, Kudremukh, Mullayyanagiri, Sringeri, NR Pura, Balehonnur, and Aldur, has been experiencing relentless downpours. A massive tree collapse near the Mullayyanagiri–Bababudangiri checkpost, around 4 km away, has cut off access to several key destinations including Attigundi, Galikere, and Mahal.

Similar incidents were reported in Koppa taluk’s Meguru and Kogre road near Venkataramana Temple, where uprooted trees brought down power lines, plunging nearby villages into darkness.

In anticipation of further heavy rainfall, Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj declared a holiday for anganwadis, primary and high schools in six taluks on Monday — Chikkamagaluru, Mudigere, Kalasa, Sringeri, Koppa, and NR Pura.

Additionally, heavy vehicles have been barred from plying on NH-169 between Tanikodi and SK Border. Instead, they must use the Kalasa–Kudremukh–SK Border route.