MLA for Puttur Ashok Kumar Rai inaugurated a lightning arrester at Birumale Gudda in Puttur on a pilot basis, on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rai said that over the years, many lives have been lost in Dakshina Kannada district due to lightning during rainy season. Deaths due to lightning are on the rise in the district, he said. If the arrester installed at the Gudda proves effective, more arresters can be installed in other locations as well, he said. There is also a need to construct a Ranga Mantapa on the Gudda, he added.