TIRUPATI: A thunderstorm accompanied by high-velocity wind hit Tirupati and Tirumala and disrupted normal life on Tuesday.

The weather, which was extremely hot and humid till 3 p.m., changed suddenly.

Heavy water-bearing clouds gathered over the town resulting in a huge cloudburst lasting more than 90 minutes.

Drainage system fails

Though the temple towns and some pockets of the semi-arid Chittoor district had showers in the last few days, they never witnessed such a powerful gale and thunderbolts as on Tuesday.

Most parts of the town were inundated, with the town's fragile drainage system and road network failing to cope with the deluge.

Power supply that was snapped at the beginning of the storm was not restored even till 8 p.m. plunging the town in darkness.

Traffic held up

Traffic was held up in affected pockets and when it eventually resumed, vehicles were found moving at a snail's pace even as pedestrians waded through knee-deep storm and sewage water, as sewer lines overflowed at most places.

Trees uprooted

Trees were uprooted at some places while many hoardings were twisted out. The torrential rain and subsequent power failure has dampened the festival mood of residents celebrating the concluding day of the week-long Ganga Jathara.

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