Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) cleared several fallen trees and broken branches from roads and restored traffic within an hour after a severe storm and heavy rain lashed the city on Friday morning.The three-hour downpour left trees strewn across several major roads. In the New Capital Circle (NCC), trees and branches fell near the CM House, Haj Bhawan, Patel Golamber, Chitkohra Bridge, Budh Marg, Beerchand Patel Marg, Gardanibagh Road, Lekhakar Bhawan and Maurya Lok Complex. Patliputra Circle reported damage at Chhajubagh, Budh Marg and Rajvanshi Nagar.In Kankarbagh circle, a huge tree collapsed near Awadh Apartment in Ward no. 46. Bankipore circle witnessed road blockages on Baldev Sahay Road, Congress Maidan, Khetan Market, Kazipur Road, NIT campus and NIT Ghat Road. No such incidents were reported from Patna City and Azimabad circles.Municipal teams deployed earthmover machines and wood-cutting equipment to clear the affected roads and restore traffic movement.According to an official PMC release, the civic body also removed waterlogging within an hour using high-capacity pumps and super sucker machines. Dedicated teams cleaned stormwater drains on the Bailey Road flyover to prevent water accumulation.In view of unpredictable weather conditions, the PMC has identified 17 shelter locations where commuters can take refuge during storms and heatwaves. Six permanent shelters — two each in NCC, Bankipore and Azimabad circles — have been equipped with coolers and drinking water facilities.Municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena directed officials to equip 12 temporary German hangar shelters with fans and coolers to make them summer-ready. The PMC has also installed 260 temporary drinking water booths and deployed 13 water tankers at busy locations across the city.Emergency response teams remain on high alert in all PMC zones.
