Jamshedpur : Normal life in the city was badly hit after heavy storm coupled with downpour brought life to a standstill today afternoon. Although, again it brought relief to the citizens from heat but at the same time town activities was brought to a half for almost an hour.
Reports of tress/ branches fallen at Beldih Lake area, Office Road, road inside Jubilee Park, St. Mile Road, Sakchi Boulevard road, Sidhgora road, Kadma Sonari Link road, etc.
Meanwhile traffic was disrupted as major main roads in the city were inundated. Commuters had a tough time wading through knee-deep water, at some places, to reach their destinations. There is also a fear of an outbreak of water-borne diseases.
The traffic police had a tough time regulating traffic in the affected areas. In a few areas, traffic constables were seen opening manhole covers to enable free flow of rainwater into the drains.
Rain water gushed into houses in many low-lying area, said officials. Many areas including Jugsalai were also plunged into darkness after electric cables were snapped due to the falling trees.
According to information areas like Mango, Jugsalai, Baghbera, Parsudih have been hit. Water clogging at these areas has made difficult for people to move. The downpour exposed the woeful drainage system on the city roads. Choked drains resulted in water logging in different parts of the city. Motorists had to struggle to get through the water-logged roads.
Most of the roads are dotted with stalled vehicles, adding to the chaos. In some low lying areas several autos have been reported stranded in water.
“Rains have made life difficult for the residents but still there has not been much flooding even in the low-lying areas. We are keeping a vigil look and are prepared to face situation,” said an officer of Jugsalai Municipality
Meanwhile resident of Jugsalai complained of water clogging and heap of garbage spread in several nooks and corners of the areas.
River Swarnrekha and Kharkai, flow through the different parts of the city, which is also called as steel city due to the presence of a large number of steel and related industries. In a similar situation both the rivers had also surged suddenly on September 9 and August 13 causing submersion of more than 100 houses. In another such flood in June 2009, one person lost his life while hundreds of houses were submerged.