The third day of the Yuva Dasara programme in Mysuru was cancelled on Thursday night after heavy rain and strong winds brought down a large speaker tower near the stage and disrupted the evacuation of thousands of spectators at Uttanahalli.
The incident occurred at about 7.45 pm, minutes before singer Sid Sriram was expected to perform. The speaker tower, positioned on one side of the stage, fell towards the stage LED wall. No one was present at the spot when it collapsed, preventing what could have been a serious accident, according to a report by Prajavani.
Cultural programmes had begun at 5.30 pm, with several dance teams performing before the weather deteriorated. Strong winds were followed by intense rain at about 7.50 pm. Spectators sitting in the open ground used their chairs as makeshift cover, while organisers covered lighting and sound equipment with tarpaulins.
As the rain continued, organisers cancelled the programme at 8.45 pm. Police personnel used whistles to direct people out of the venue, but the dispersal was complicated because spectators left through different parts of the grounds. Some people reportedly struggled to identify the correct exit and route to the main road.
The access arrangement also created difficulties during the evacuation. The arrival gate behind the stage was some distance from the main road, leaving people without vehicles dependent on police and ambulance vehicles for transport. Police vehicles helped take women and children who did not have their own transport towards the road. Other spectators used chairs for support while making their way to the parking area.
Traffic congestion developed as large numbers of people attempted to leave at the same time. The report also noted that roadwork near the venue had not been completed, leaving water accumulated on the road and making movement difficult. Vehicles and pedestrians faced additional delays as rainwater collected along the approach routes.
The temporary structures installed for the loudspeakers, LED equipment and cameras also became a concern for people at the venue. Aluminium frames used around the equipment were reportedly not secured firmly enough to withstand the wind, raising fears among spectators after the speaker tower fell.
Police officials, including Mallikarjun Baladandi, Bindumani and Shubhanvita, led efforts to move people out as the rain intensified. Their teams helped bring the situation under control and assisted those who needed transport. The police response prevented further disorder as spectators left the open venue.
Thousands of people had gathered to hear Sid Sriram, but they returned disappointed after the cancellation. The immediate disruption ended with the evacuation of the audience, while the incident placed attention on the safety of temporary event structures, drainage and unfinished access roads at large public gatherings during heavy rain.
