Bengaluru, May 21: Former Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Krishna, popularly known as K R Pete Krishna, died at his Mysuru residence on Friday, sources close to him said.

Krishna (80), suffering from cancer, had undergone treatment at a private hospital in Chennai.

He is survived by wife and a daughter.

The last rites are likely to be performed at his native village Kottamaranahalli in K R Pete taluk of Mandya district on Saturday, sources said.

Krishna had served as Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister in S R Bommai cabinet and had represented K R Pete Assembly constituency thrice in 1985, 1994 and 2004 from Janata Party, Janata Dal and JD(S).

He had represented the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in 1996 and served as the Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 2004-08.

Krishna was known as a simple and gentleman-politician.

Expressing condolences, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa remembered Krishna's popularity among the people starting from his political career as a member of K R Pete Taluk Board, and the way he upheld the parliamentary values as a Speaker.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, expressing grief, said he is deeply pained by Krishna's death.

Several Ministers of the State cabinet, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, State Congress chief D K Shivakumar have also expressed condolences, while Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah travelled to Mysuru to pay his last respects.

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Lucknow: Shortly after the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning of severe weather conditions in the region, a sudden thunderstorm hit Lucknow and adjoining districts on Monday morning.

The Indian Express reported that the skies turned dark around 8:45 am as strong winds lashed parts of the city. Incidents of tree falls were reported from several locations, disrupting traffic and normal movement.

The weather department said thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely to continue over the next three hours across several districts.

A red alert has been issued for districts including Unnao, Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur, Bahraich, Gonda, Shravasti and Lakhimpur Kheri, where moderate thunderstorms with hail and strong winds may damage trees, power lines and temporary structures.

An orange alert is in place for Rae Bareli, Amethi, Kanpur Nagar, Ayodhya, Kanpur Dehat, Auraiya, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur and Balrampur, where thunderstorms with lightning and winds up to 60 kmph could lead to localised disruptions.

Major parts of the state remains under yellow alert, including districts such as Prayagraj, Agra, Bareilly, Aligarh and Moradabad, where light rain, lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected.

Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors, avoid open areas and trees during lightning, and secure loose objects.