Heavey rain @ Ooty
Stormwater flooding the entrance of the Government Botanical Garden at Udhagamandalam on Sunday.Heavy rain pounded Udhagamandalam for over an hour on Sunday, flooding the Government Botanical Garden, and leaving the tourists stranded.The flood was caused by the water hurtling down from the forest areas in the upper part of the 55-acre garden, an employee of the garden said. A couple of ponds overflowed. As many tourists were stranded in different parts of the garden, the sentry permitted vehicles to enter.With the flow of water increasing, the police found it difficult to regulate the traffic and the crowd at the entrance.Garden manager Uma Rani said one tree in the upper garden was uprooted. She said steps would be taken to prevent overflowing of storm water drains in the garden.Many low-level areas in the town and its surroundings were affected. The police said no damage was reported from any part of the hill station.Concern has been voiced over the poor drainage in the town. The rain now and then exposes the inadequacy of not only the storm-water drains but also the underground sewerage system, says CPI (M) district secretary L. Thiagarajan.
The stench emanating from the overflowing sewage is unbearable at many places. The underground sewerage system, built a few years ago with a huge sum, is not serving its purpose.Mr. Thiagarajan has warned of an agitation if officials fail to improve the civic condition.
