KOCHI: Heavy traffic congestion and water logging in many parts of the city marked the first spell of pre-monsoon showers in Kochi. During the torrential rains which lasted for a couple of hours on Monday morning, several city areas got inundated. Traffic came to a standstill at many places as the vehicles had to wade through flooded roads. The Tripunithura - Vyttila Road where Kochi Metro construction works were going on was the worst hit. Though rains receded by noon, the downpour restarted by evening and commuters, including office-goers, had a tough time reaching their destinations.
Regular problem areas like Gandhi Nagar, Karshaka Road, Ernakulam South, KSRTC bus stand premises and Kammattipadam witnessed heavy waterlogging. The huge heaps of garbage accumulated near Ambedkar stadium blocked the drains resulting in flooding near KSRTC stand. As the rain intensified, water entered the more than 300 houses in P&T colony. "It took nearly 45 minutes to cover more than 3 km from Tripunithura to Vyttila. Several private buses from eastern parts of the district had to terminate service at Vyttila," said Subhash K., a private bus driver.
Meanwhile, due to the slowdown in waste removal, heaps of garbage started piling up along roadsides blocking the flow of water to drains. "As rains intensified, the sinking garbage heaps poses serious health concerns. Waterlogging coupled with rotten garbage heaps in several areas give an open invitation to various airborne diseases. Even in busy areas like Kaloor market premises, garbage heaps remain uncleared," said a trader in the area.
