Showers, rumours hit city

Showers, rumours hit city

The Times of India


Bangalore: The relatively dry spell on Wednesday was only a breather. The light rain through the day coincided with an SMS rumour that the city would be hit by a storm between 3 and 5 pm.

At the stroke of 3, dark clouds hovered, bringing light rain that continued for hours. No new areas were flooded, but those battered on Tuesday were still reeling.

Nagawara, parts of HSR Layout, ITI Layout, Nayandahalli and Azad Nagar still had situations where people had to be ferried out in make-shift boats. Pumping out of water continued in earnest even on Thursday evening.

Two buildings collapsed through the day, saturated with rain water: an old house on Nova Street, Shivajinagar, and a railway compound wall on Magadi Road. In JP Nagar V Phase, sewage spilled onto the streets, thanks to a choked manhole.

The worst problem was of undisposed garbage piling up at markets in the city. Vegetables had started rotting.
Citizens were still wary of venturing outdoors. Traffic on the city roads was thinner than usual.

No schools for 2 more days


With inclement weather continuing, the government has decided to extend the holiday for schools and colleges in Bangalore and suburbs on Friday and Saturday. This will apply to Kendriya Vidyalayas and institutions in Kolar district too.

Scaled-down Rajyothsava:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will rush interim relief and a team to Bangalore to inspect the rain damage. This emerged after CM N Dharam Singh sought from the Centre Rs 500 crore in aid on Thursday. The state is planning to scale down Rajyothsava celebrations in the aftermath of the rain havoc. Fresh police alert: Police commissioner Ajai Kumar Singh has issued fresh warning to residents of Bangalore following forecast of heavy rain, urging them not to use their vehicles unless it is necessary.