Traffic was obstructed in about 15 spots within the city after trees uprooted and fell on roads.
Thiruvananthapuram: The heavy rains and winds during the early hours of Wednesday affected normal life in the city. Traffic was obstructed in about 15 spots within the city after trees got uprooted and fell on roads. However there were no major casualties, except the injury suffered by a rescue worker.
Heavy winds that started by around 3 a.m. lasted till about 7 a.m. in many parts of the city. Students going to schools faced several hardships owing to the rough weather. Heavy traffic jams were witnessed at many important junctions in the city. “It took more than 30 minutes to cross the one kilometre stretch from Idapazhanji to Vazhuthacaud,” said Deepu R, a resident of Sasthamangalam.
Water clogging was reported at some parts of the NH bypass. Local people blocked the road at Injackal in the evening after water entered houses after drains were clogged because of the ongoing road widening works. The protest was withdrawn after revenue officials assured that they would carry out corrective measures immediately.
It was a hectic day for Fire and Rescue Service officials right from 3 a.m. About 15 incidents of trees being uprooted were reported at the Chakkai fire station alone. A fireman, identified as Santosh Kumar, suffered injuries from the tree cutting machine's blade while clearing the branches of a tree that fell over a building on the Secretariat premises. The district administration has advised to avoid trips to Ponmudi and other hilly roads.
