Bengaluru: Trees and electric poles crashed, while many areas suffered power cuts on the second consecutive day on Sunday, as thunderstorms accompanied by high-velocity winds lashed the city.
Winds blowing up to 40-50 kmph whipped across the city, while the norm is around 8-10 kmph.
On Sunday, at least 40 trees were uprooted and major arterial and sub-arterial roads were flooded forcing the traffic to a halt. The showers dampened the weekend spirit and many youngsters chose to remain indoors.
Traffic was crawling on major roads, especially the Outer Ring Road near Jalahalli, which was waterlogged. Traffic flow was affected on roads where white topping and laying of pipes are taking place.
On Sunday, complaints of trees crashing were reported from Jayamahal, Malleswaram, Banashankari, Kengeri, Hoysalanagar, BRV ground on Cubbon Road, Magadi road, Bhashyam Circle, Rajajinagar and Nandidurg roads.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar personally monitored the situation and directed the BBMP commissioner to ensure that the public is not inconvenienced due to the heavy downpour.
On Saturday night, over 65 trees and 650 branches had crashed with the maximum number of complaints coming from South zone.
BBMP Commissioner N. Manjuatha Prasad visited the control room and directed BBMP engineers and gangmen to clear the uprooted trees and woodlogs to ensure free movement of vehicles, said sources in the BBMP.
Mr. Prasad also directed the forest officials to ckear the woodlogs on priority.
Speaking to DC director of Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Cell Srinivas Reddy said that cyclonic pressure and trough have led to thunderstorms and high-velocity wind activities. This will continue for the next three days, he said.
