Tragic Fire in Haveri Cattle Shed Claims Over 12 Cows, Leaves Farmer in Distress
A devastating incident unfolded in Kanavalli village, Haveri taluk, on Thursday night, as over 12 cows were burned alive after an electric short circuit triggered a fire in a cattle shed. The cattle belonged to Parameshappa Somappa Jadar, a local resident of Kanavalli village, who relies on cattle rearing as his primary occupation.
Details of the Incident
The fire occurred in front of the government Urdu primary school in Mehboob Nagar. Despite stormy weather conditions on Thursday evening, Parameshappa had returned home with milk as usual. Later, strong winds caused power lines near the cattle shed to come into contact, sparking a fire that quickly spread to the shed and a nearby corn storage area.
Locals attempted to extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful until the fire brigade arrived and managed to put out the blaze. Tragically, the animals inside the shed were completely consumed by the fire, with only one calf surviving the ordeal.
Impact on the Farmer and Family
Parameshappa lives with his wife and children and had recently arranged his daughter's marriage through loans, making this loss particularly devastating. Each cow was valued between Rs 50,000 and Rs 70,000, and four tractor loads of corn were also destroyed in the fire. Local estimates place the total loss between Rs 8 to 10 lakh.
The incident left the family in tears, as cattle rearing was not just a livelihood but a way of life for them. Witnesses noted that when Parameshappa went home with milk, the surviving calf drank some and wandered out of the shed, escaping the flames. They described how the calf stood silently after losing its mother, adding to the emotional toll of the tragedy.
Official Response and Inspections
A case has been registered at the Guttal police station. Officials, including assistant director of animal husbandry Dr. Parameshappa Hubballi, Belavigi veterinary hospital chief Dr. Vijaykumar Halkatti, Karjagi officer Basavaraj Doddamani, Kanavalli veterinary hospital examiner Bharamappa Kattiger, and village administration officer Basangouda Gowdar, visited the site for inspection.
MLA Rudrappa Lamani expressed condolences over the phone, while former chief minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai urged the state government to provide appropriate compensation to Parameshappa Somappa Jadar. Bommai cited the immense loss caused by the accidental fire that claimed over 12 cows, highlighting the need for support in such crises.
Broader Implications
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by farmers in rural areas, where infrastructure issues like faulty power lines can lead to catastrophic losses. It also raises awareness about the importance of safety measures in agricultural settings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The community has rallied around the affected family, but the financial and emotional impact is expected to be long-lasting. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the short circuit to prevent similar occurrences.
