1.5-acre arecanut plantation burnt due to electrical short circuit

DAVANAGERE: A 1.5-acre arecanut plantation was burnt in an electrical short circuit that occurred at Kattigehalli village in Jagalur taluk.

The fire broke out as soon as the borewell pump was switched on, and spread quickly due to dry grass and herbicides used in the plantation. The plantation belonged to Basavanagouda and Shantamma, and over 650 arecanut plants were destroyed.

The dry grass in the farm caught fire, fuelled by the herbicides used. The arecanut plantation, which had been nurtured with care, was destroyed in a matter of minutes. The farmers had taken great care to protect the plants during the drought, using tankers to water the plants.

The farmers are now facing a crisis due to the sudden loss of their crops. Local residents are demanding compensation from Bescom for the farmers. MLA B Devendrappa has personally provided Rs 50,000 to the affected farmers.