Water gushes into shops in MG Road, electricity disrupted; heavy rains batter Kochi

KOCHI: Heavy rains accompanied by lightning and thunder for several hours in the evening caused waterlogging and traffic jams in various parts of Ernakulam city on Sunday. Water entered in shops on M.G. Road in the city. Due to the fast-blowing wind and rain, trees were uprooted, with branches falling in various parts of the city. The city witnessed traffic snarls and electricity disruption for hours.

The rain, which started at around 6 pm, continued till 8 pm on Sunday. The most affected was the bustling MG Road area, as water entered most shops in the area. Waterlogging worsened at major junctions, including Woodlands and Jos Junction, as well as in the South Medical Trust and Ravipuram areas.

The fire force pumped water out from shops at Madhava Pharmacy Junction. Pumping was also required on Ksn Menon Road, Ravipuram. The water started receding after the intensity of the rains decreased at night. Traffic was disrupted on the road from near Lulu Mall in Edappally to the Edappally Toll Road due to waterlogging.

Tree branches fell in various parts of the city, including Thammanam, Kaloor, Palarivattom, Vyttila and Kannadikkadu. The fire force arrived and removed the obstruction. Although water entered the area around Ernakulam South Railway Station and Ernakulam KSRTC Station, train and bus services were not affected.