Heavy rain triggered by the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal wreaked havoc in the State including the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on Friday.
The rains which started from Thursday evening caused severe waterlogging in the twin cities, which not only threw normal life out of gear but brought misery for the residents, particularly in the low lying areas of both the cities.
Low lying areas like Acharya Vihar, Laxmi Sagar, Gauri Garden, Jagamara, Baramunda, some part of Jaydev Vihar, Gouri Nagar, Shriram Nagar, Mallick Complex, Ratna Villa, Gouri Sankar English Medium School, Nayapalli Behera Sahi, Nandan Vihar, Jayadev Vihar Corporation Gali, Paika Nagar, Bisnupriya Apartment, Padma Apartment gali, Naka Gate were inundated causing great inconvenience to the locals.
However, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities, who had announced to be in preparedness for the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Titli’ were caught unawares and were reticent in responding to the situation. The BMC control room was virtually flooded with complaints. Similarly, in Cuttack, Roxy Lane, Patapole, Buxi Bazaar, Tala Telenga Bazaar, Rausa Patna, Stewart Lane and many other areas bore the brunt of the incessant rains. Water entered into the houses of people in some areas of these cities.
The rain water on National Highway 16 also blocked traffic in front of Iskcon temple at Nayapalli. Due to incessant rain, commuters took shelter under flyovers at CRPF Square, Fire Station square, Jaydev Vihar, Acharya Vihar and Vani Vihar disrupting the vehicular communications.
The IMD forecast about more heavy rains in the twin cities, has triggered panic among the residents staying low lying areas of the city. Situation may get worse if the rain continues, said some senior officials.