Bhubaneswar: The Capital city witnessed heavy traffic jams due to waterlogging at many places following heavy rain that lashed several parts of the state, Wednesday. Three buses got stuck near Iskcon temple as motorists had tough time negotiating the waterlogged stretches at Rashulgarh, Bomikhal, Saheed Nagar, Acharya Vihar and Laxmisagar. The City received 21.3 mm of rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rains in the coming days. Moderate rain or thundershower with lightning and one or two intense spell of rain may occur in some parts of Kandhamal, Kahahandi, Nayagarh, Khurda including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Nupada districts. The weather agency has warned of waterlogging in low lying areas, occasionally poor visibility and traffic disruption in urban area. It has also issued a yellow warning of light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning for some parts of Bolangir, Bargarh, Malkangiri, Jajpur, Sundargarh and Gajapati. People have been advised to keep a watch on the weather and accordingly move to safer places to protect themselves from lightning strikes.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to deploy 80 sanitary workers to keep watch on 48 waterlogging-prone areas in the city during the monsoon season. The choking of internal drains leads to waterlogging in residential areas as rainwater overflows. Regular cleaning will help direct rainwater without causing spillover, officials said. The toll-free number 1929 has been activated to receive calls from citizens regarding waterlogging problems, they added.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP