The New Indian Express 08.10.2010
Life hit in Millennium City
CUTTACK: Incessant rains lashing the city since last evening have affected normal life in the Millennium City. The city recorded over 60- mm rainfall in the past 24 hours and the weatherman has forecast more rain as the depression moves along the Orissa coast. The rains have kept the civic authorities on their toes.Even though the city is spared of the problems of water-logging and inundation, the memories of the August 4, 2007, deluge and its aftermath are yet to be erased. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) is on the job with special teams visiting the low-lying areas and a control room being set up to monitor the situation on a constant basis.
As many as 130 water pumps have been pressed into service to drain the rainwater from the vulnerable zones.
The downpour and windy conditions brought the normal life in the city to a standstill through the day. Roads witnessed thin traffic and business activities were affected. With offices being closed on account of Mahalaya, people preferred to remain indoors.
The people in the low-lying areas like Patapol, Sutahat, Badambadi, Rajabagicha Labour Colony, Kesharpur and Gamadiha were a happy lot as their fears of the usual water-logging and inundation did not come true.
CMC Commissioner RN Nanda attributed the improvement to the recent completion of silting and clearance of the Main Storm Water Channels and the network of branch drains.
That the Mahanadi and the Kathajodi rivers are dry came as a boon as they allowed keeping the sluice gates open for discharge of the rainwater. “We are, however, keeping a watch and quick response teams have been formed to deal with any emerging situation,” he said.
