Mysuru’s Yuva Dasara programme was cancelled on Thursday night after heavy rain and strong winds toppled a large speaker tower onto the LED wall beside the stage at Uttanahalli, while thousands of people were gathered for the outdoor event. No one was near the tower when it fell, avoiding a major accident, according to a report by Prajavani – Mysuru.
Cultural performances began at 5.30 pm, with several dance teams appearing on stage. The disruption occurred at about 7.45 pm, minutes before singer Sid Sriram was scheduled to arrive. Strong winds brought down the speaker tower, after which organisers covered the lighting and sound equipment with tarpaulins as rain intensified.
The organisers cancelled the programme at 8.45 pm after rainfall continued. Police personnel used whistles to direct people out of the venue, but the crowd faced confusion over which exit to use because people began leaving through different parts of the ground. The report said the approach to the main road from the entrance behind the stage was far, making it difficult for some visitors to reach the exit.
Police vehicles and ambulances were used to transport people to the road. Women and children who did not have vehicles were also taken in police vehicles, while other visitors used chairs for support as they made their way to the parking area. Many people left in their vehicles during the rain, resulting in traffic congestion around the venue.
The disruption also highlighted access problems around the event ground. Road work in the area was incomplete, and water accumulated on the roads, affecting movement around the site. Visitors reportedly left chairs at several points on the roads near the front of the stage as they tried to move away from the rain and crowding.
The temporary structures installed for the sound systems, LED equipment and cameras also became a source of concern. According to the report, aluminium walls placed around the equipment had not been firmly secured against the wind, raising concerns among people at the venue after the speaker tower fell.
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, along with Bindumani and Shubhanvita, assisted police teams in moving people out as the rain intensified. Their intervention helped bring the situation under control, the report said.
The cancellation disappointed thousands of visitors who had come to hear Sid Sriram perform. The incident leaves the event’s temporary infrastructure, emergency exit arrangements and access roads as the immediate operational issues associated with the disrupted programme. The report did not provide details of any rescheduled performance or further programme arrangements.
