GUWAHATI, May 4 - Even as heavy rainfall induced by cyclone �Fani� is affecting normal life in the city, disruption in power supply has added to the misery of its residents today.
The Borjhar-based Regional Meteorology Centre (RMC) here warned heavy rainfall over the city today. The city received a total rainfall amount of 47 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Sources in the RMC said this evening that the city is on the verge of receiving a heavy rainfall, that is, 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm of rainfall.
For very heavy rainfall, a place is to receive a total amount varying between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm of rainfall, and for extremely heavy rainfall, a place is to receive over 204.5 mm of rainfall. It needs mention here that Shillong today received a total of 90.2 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, while Cherrapunji received a total amount of 195.7 mm of rainfall during the period.
Under the impact of the prevailing weather condition in the city today and its adjacent areas, the 33 Kv power line of the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) was snapped and at several places, broken branches of trees led to tripping of the lines in the distribution network of the power utility.
APDCL sources told this newspaper here this evening that about 50 per cent of the lines in the distribution network have become faulty due to the prevailing gusty situation in and around the city. Speedy restoration works have been impeded by the rainy condition and the resultant waterlogging in various areas.
Sonapur area is the worst affected under this situation, APDCL sources said.
Sources maintained that despite the impediments, the officials and the staff of the power utility could manage to restore the power supply system in many areas of the city. If there is no further deterioration in the weather condition, it is expected that the entire distribution network of the power utility could be restored by tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, several areas of the city have been facing the problem of waterlogging. Waterlogging has been reported from the Panbazar localities of Saraswati Road, GNB Road overbridge point and Ranibari, from Zoo Tiniali on RG Baruah Road and from Anil Nagar on Rajgarh Road. The Pub Sarania Road has been overtopped by drainwater. A similar situation has been reported from Kahilipara areas too.
Maniram Dewan Road in Chandmari area was under stormwater at the time of filing of this report. Traffic movement was disturbed on this arterial road for about one hour during the evening.
