Gundlupet: The unseasonal rain that lashed for over an hour last afternoon in Bandipur forest region has doused the fear of a possible outbreak of a forest fire.

Bandipur forest had literally gone bone dry over the last few months in the absence of a shower triggering an apprehension of forest fire any moment. The wildlife which were experiencing the scorching heat now should feel comfortable, thanks to the sudden downpour which has filled up the water bodies too. The tourists who had come to Bandipur yesterday enjoyed the safari ride under rain.

The weather experts attributed the moderate to heavy rainfall in many parts of South interior Karnataka to formation of a trough over the peninsular region. The Meteorologists feel that the cloudy weather condition with brief spell of rain is likely to continue till tomorrow.