Kochi: Rains abate, shoppers return

Kochi: Unexpected showers overnight on Tuesday first played spoilsport with Onam preparations of Kochiites on Uthradam day. It dimmed the hopes of hawkers and traders in Broadway, Ernakulam Market and MG Road as well.

However, when the rains abated later in the day, shopping revived on Broadway and Ernakulam Market with a large number of people thronging them while MG Road wore the usual look without much rush with many shops remaining closed.

Though the rains abated by around 10 am, overcast sky enveloped the city over the entire day. However, Tripunithura which has the royal tradition bucked the trend with people in large numbers coming out to shop for various things, mainly textiles, flowers and vegetables. “We could witness the Uthradappachil in the temple town despite the rain in the morning and the trend continued till evening after rains abated,” said Sasikanth K., a trader in the town.

Vehicular traffic had come down considerably in several parts, mainly due to closure of offices and schools on account of Onam.

“Due to the bad condition of roads in the city and fearing the traffic blocks in recent days, many people seem to have decided not to come to the city for purchases. Many areas face parking problems too. Many people are now using Kochi Metro to come to the city which also has resulted in bringing down the road traffic on these days,” said Sarath K.A., a vendor on Broadway.

Malls as usual witnessed rush with people combining eating out and purchases on the Uthradam day without being hit by the vicissitudes of climate. Malls provided the comfort of viewing Onam film releases also. Major purchases in the day were around textiles while purchase of provisions and vegetable for the lavish ‘Onasadya’ on the Thiruvonam day was on top of the agenda for people who could not do these purchases in the previous days. Weathermen predict Thiruonam day to be a mix of rain and shine in the district.