Nature’s fury fells 80 trees in City

Nature’s fury fells 80 trees in City
Bangalore, Apr 21, DHNS:

Bangalore West was in a shambles after heavy rain and gusts left in their wake large-scale uprooting of trees and electricity poles and damage of vehicles on Wednesday evening.

In Rajajinagar, Vijayanagar and surrounding areas alone, more than 80 trees were uprooted in the downpour.

The worst affected was the Rajajinagar Assembly constituency accounting for more than 60 uprooted trees. Rajajinagar 3rd block was the hardest hit with three massive trees falling outside the ESI Hospital on 41st Cross, triggering disruption in traffic and power.

Most parts of West Bangalore were powerless on Wednesday night as electricity poles and transformers went bust. In 13th Main, Rajajinagar 3rd Block, a falling tree flattened three cars and an electricity pole. The scene was no different at Vijayagar with the Club Road in RPC Layout bearing the brunt of the rain and winds. The area residents complained that the BESCOM and the BBMP officials were not responding to their calls. But the Palike and BESCOM workers at the spot maintained that their focus was to clear areas with heavy traffic flow and then move to residential areas.

Parts of Malleswaram were also badly hit by rain. A woman was injured when a tree fell on an autorickshaw she was travelling in. Traffic was disrupted for more than an hour as the BBMP and the BESCOM employees struggled to clear the trees. Traffic was diverted near the junction at ESI hospital and parts of West of Chord Road to make way for the clearance.