Traffic crawls as rain falls

Traffic crawls as rain falls


Motorists wading through the water-logged Ulsoor Road after the heavy rains on Wednesday evening in Bangalore/Nagesh Polali
Express News Service
First Published : 16 Oct 2008 06:32:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 Oct 2008 07:59:55 AM IST

BANGALORE: Several parts of the City experienced a sudden downpour on Wednesday evening. Slow movement of vehicles was reported mainly in busy areas due to water-logging.

Bangaloreans, especially motorists’, had a tough time getting back home as heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning lashed the City. Traffic was thrown out of gear at many places, including the Bellary Road.

A hot afternoon was followed by the rain, much to the delight of the people.

According to BBMP officials, no rain-related complaint was reported from any part of the City. It recorded 11.6 mm of rainfall, while HAL Airport recorded 7.6 mm, according to the Meteorological Department.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours: Generally cloudy and rain or thundershowers likely.

Adding to the miseries of commuters, vehicular movement was affected on Hudson Circle, Richmond Road, K G Road and Double Road, when a car suddenly caught fire near the Corporation Circle.

Because of traffic jams, fire tenders found it difficult to reach the spot. Short circuit was reportedly the reason for the car catching fire.

After the rains, comes the darkness

THE government has said that it cannot completely stop load-shedding despite a decline in power consumption in the last few days due to good rains across the State.

Energy Minister K S Eshwarappa said on Wednesday that demand in consumption had fallen from 120 million units to 104 million units.

In view of the increased demand in Karnataka, the Centre has given 150 MW power. This apart, steps have been taken to procure additional power from Gujarat and other private power producers.

“To maintain equitable distribution of power throughout the year, we have to resort to some sort of load-shedding,” he said.