The City of Destiny on an average collects about 955 mm of rainfall on an annual basis. But just in two days (August 29 and 30) the city received about 138 mm of rainfall (78.1 mm and 60.2 mm), which was much higher over the normal standards, and despite that there was no flooding at any place across the city. Heavy rain hardly had any impact on normal life in the city.
And this has set the social media abuzz. Hardcore Vizagites have poured their heart out in backing the city as the cleanest and the best.
Leading the social media troopers advocate Vydula Ravindra Prasad’s comment ‘Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad stinks, sinks and sinking when it rains. Vizag is blessed’, has gone viral.
Supporting his claim Vikram Pothapragada commented ‘The best drainage system I have seen till date’ and Manjushree Dutta added ‘It’s because we are not choking our drains with plastic’.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Ravindra said, “This is truly a smart city- proud of Vizag. Moreover, the city looks more cleaner and vibrant a day after the rains. It wears a washed up and dynamic look.”
On how was it possible to see that there was no inundation, GVMC Commissioner M. Hari Narayanan said de-silting of all major drains was taken up in June to see that there is no choking.
“Moreover, we have a standard programme of cleaning all drains. Each team is given a task to clean every drain at least twice a week and choking points are addressed on a regular basis. And based on the instructions given by the Collector our response team has been kept on alert 24/7 to address emergencies,” he added.
But Mr. Hari Narayanan was candid to admit that thought there are no major problems in the core areas of the city, there are some problems in the extended areas such as Gajuwaka, Madhurawada and Pendurthi. “We are working to address the issues,” he said.
