Thunderstorm uproots trees and electricity poles

Jamshedpur : Heavy rains coupled with thunderstorm that hit the city on Monday afternoon disrupted the town with trees fallen all around, power cuts, roads littered with leaves, branches, drain chockage and overflow.

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. Trees were uprooted near Keenan Stadium, Northern Town that led to traffic halt.
According uprooted trees and electricity poles, damaged hoardings and shed and disrupting power supply in JUVNL (formerly JSEB) serviced areas in city and its periphery.

According to local Met officials the storm which hit the city lasted for nearly 15 minutes notching a speed of 60 kmph led to uprooting of electric poles and damaging power infrastructures at sub-stations in Mango, Uliyan (Kadma), Jugsalai, ChottaGovindpur and Birsanagar.

Official, JUVNL Jamshedpur supply area said that uprooting of poles and damage to sub-stations and feeders led to power supply being paralysed completely in their areas. Power has been restored in Mango and few patches of Uliyan (Kadma) areas. However, it will take more time for power supply to be restored in areas distribution from Birsanagar, Chottagovindpur and Jugsalai sub-stations.

The disruption of power supply has had an effect on water supply too in most of the apartments and water distribution through drinking water and sanitation departments.

The areas in city and its outskirts which witnessed a blackout after the rains include, Mango, Jugsalai, Bagbera, Kitadih, Parsudih, Karandih, Sundernagar, Birsanagar, Bagunhatu, Shastrinagar, Jugsalai, parts of Sonari and Kadma, Bagbera, Jugsalai, Manifit, ChottaGovindpur and Ghorabandha affecting nearly seven lakh residents.

Trees were uprooted on roads in several city landmarks including Jubilee Park, the road leading towards Kadma Farm Area (adjacent to Beldih Golf Ground), the road leading toward Sai Temple in Circuit House Area, the road leading to Gulmohur School (in Telco) and near Labour Bureau (in Telco).

Most of the roads were 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.