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The Hindu
17-05-2025
- The Hindu
School buses inspected in Coimbatore ahead of new academic year
Ahead of the new academic year, over 1,700 school buses were inspected for safety compliance in Coimbatore, with District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar overseeing the checks at the Police Recruits School (PRS) grounds on Saturday. A total of 1,741 school buses, operated by 274 private schools across the district, were inspected under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles (Regulation and Control of School Buses) Rules. Of these, 945 vehicles passed, while 58 were turned away due to lack of proper certification or other deficiencies. The inspection focused on safety aspects such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency exits, front and rear cameras, and the overall condition of the vehicles. Officials also verified availability of the required documentation, including fitness certificates. As part of the safety initiative, drivers were also screened for vision problems. Those requiring further medical attention were referred to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. The Collector said school buses must operate within prescribed speed limits, particularly in urban areas, safety protocols must be adhered to at all times, not just during inspections, and strict action would be taken against school managements that failed to comply with the safety regulations. The public, he said, could report to the police about overloading in auto-rickshaws, especially those carrying more children than permitted. The Fire and Rescue Services Department conducted a demonstration on emergency evacuation procedures and the use of fire extinguishers in school vehicles as part of the programme.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Sudden evening showers bring relief to residents, disrupt power in Tiruchi
A sudden hailstorm accompanied by heavy thunder and rain lashed Tiruchi on Sunday evening, bringing much-needed relief from the day's heat but also causing significant disruption to transport and public infrastructure. The day began with soaring temperatures and humid conditions, but by late evening, the skies darkened and gave way to thunderstorms that brought down the temperature significantly across the city. The rain was accompanied by strong winds that swept through several neighbourhoods. The Bengaluru–Madurai Express came to a halt at Tiruchi Fort railway station after overhead electrical equipment (OHE) was damaged by the storm. Railway officials immediately deployed a relief locomotive to tow the train to Tiruchi Junction, from where it resumed its journey to Madurai. Officials said the damaged OHE would be inspected and repaired promptly. The hailstorm and intense rain also caused widespread damage across the city. Several low-lying areas experienced severe waterlogging, causing hardship to commuters. Roads near the airport, including the newly laid Wireless Road, were reported to be inundated, hampering traffic flow and leaving vehicles stranded. The downpour led to multiple incidents of trees and branches falling due to strong winds. Three trees were uprooted near Oyamari, while several large branches fell in Thillainagar area. In Dheeran Nagar, two trees were reported to have fallen, prompting intervention from the Fire and Rescue Services Department. Tiruchi Corporation workers have been deployed across affected areas to clear debris and restore access. While the showers brought relief from the heat, they also caused power outages in several areas. Residents reported electricity disruptions in localities, including Srirangam, Thillai Nagar, and Cantonment, Crawford, Karumandapam, with outages lasting several hours in some places.
