The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Rain disrupts peak-hour traffic

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Friday, May 25, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Rain disrupts peak-hour traffic

Staff Reporter

Autorickshaw drivers make brisk business; several roads waterlogged

SPLASH: Many roads like this were inundated on Thursday after sharp showers in Bangalore. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bangalore: Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds on Thursday evening threw peak-hour traffic out of gear in the city.

Over 20 trees were uprooted in Jayanagar III and V Blocks, Vasanth Nagar, Old Central Jail, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Frazer Town, Airport Road, Palace Road, Rajajinagar, B.T.M. Layout and Basavanagudi. Four trees crashed in Ulsoor. There were reports of inundation from Chickpet.

According to officials of Meteorological Department, the city on Thursday received a rainfall of 18.4 mm.

Although it caused inconvenience, it gave respite to the people of the city from a harsh summer.

A pleasant change

It was a pleasant change for traffic police, autorickshaw drivers and fruit-sellers. For the police, rains mean light traffic, for autorickshaw drivers a downpour brings more business and for fruit-sellers, a free wash.

"It is certainly better when it is raining because the vehicles on the roads decrease," said traffic policeman Ravi Kumar. Autorickshaw driver Abdul Samat said, "It gives me more business because people are in a hurry to get home." Autorickshaws are the most preferred mode of transport for the man on the street when it rains as no one wants to wait for buses. "Fruits appear fresh because of the rain and people flock to my shop," said Mubarak, a fruit vendor. For some, the rain meant misery. For people travelling by car and two-wheeler riders, it is difficult to manoeuvre their vehicles when it pours.

Flooded roads

Ashish Jain caught in a rain-induced traffic jam said: "People face problems because too much water is flowing on the streets." Barista Coffee outlet on Cunningham Road is waterlogged. "The water entered the restaurant and we had quite a time cleaning it up," said Sunil Das K., the manager.

Manager of Infinitea, a tea cafe on Cunningham Road, said, "The rain does bring down our business. It is a bit duller than on other days."

The restaurants are not the only sufferers. The vendors on the street face a loss of business.

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