Showers bring respite from heat

Visakhapatnam: The people of Visakhapatnam got a respite from scorching heat on Tuesday, thanks to thunderstorms. With the sudden change in temperature since morning, the entire district witnessed cool climate with dark clouds hovering till evening. Suddenly, heavy rain lashed the city and in rural areas. Though normal life was paralysed with untimely rain, the people enjoyed the day with the cool climate.

The rain waters flooded several parts in the Old City and water entered several the houses. Drains overflowed due to sudden showers. Garbage from the drainages flooded on the roads and almost all the low lying areas were inundated with rainwater, but by evening the water receded.

The residents of Convent Junction, Marripalem, Town Kotha Road, Poorna market, Pedda Jalaripeta , Kobbari Thota, Railway New Colony, Dabagardens, Malkapuram, Port area, Gajuwaka, HB Colony in the city faced problems due to unexpected rain.

In Bheemili, two thatched houses were damaged due to gales and two youth, who tried to rescue their cattle, sustained minor injuries. In the rural and agency areas also the people enjoyed the day with showers. The APEPDCL officials switched off the power at sub-stations to avoid major troubles due to thunderstorms.

Warning to GVMC:
The sudden rain has given a warning to the civic authorities about the overflowing of drainages in the ensuing rainy season. Though the citizens are expressing their happiness over the sanitation and beauty of the city, with overflowing of drainages on Tuesday doubts were raised about the flood threat to the low lying areas in the city.

“With untimely rains, low lying areas were inundated with rain water. The municipal corporation was boasting Vizag as number one city in maintaining cleanliness in the country but beauty of the city is only remains at a few posh colonies. Today’s rain and overflow of the drainages are the mirror images of the coming rainy season threat,” Raju, a resident Ootagedda area said.