By Afreen Firdaus

Bhubaneswar: Rain amid Cyclone Arnab disrupted morning commutes and affected business in parts of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Office-goers reported delays and higher cab fares, while two-wheeler riders continued working despite poor visibility and wet roads.

Commuters pay more, reach late: Rain increased travel time and commuting costs for office-goers. A commuter travelling from Satyanagar to Khandagiri said his usual 20–25-minute journey took considerably longer. “I was supposed to reach office by 10 am, but it was almost 10.45 am by the time I reached. It was difficult commuting in this rain, but it is unavoidable,” he said.

He said an auto-cab ride from Satyanagar to Khandagiri usually costs around Rs 150, but the fares were higher ranging between Rs 250-300.

Riders stay on the road: For those who depend on outdoor work for their livelihood, staying indoors is not always an option. Mukesh Raula, a Rapido rider from Kalahandi who has been working in Bhubaneswar for two years, said poor visibility and water accumulation made riding difficult.

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“There is poor visibility, and waterlogging which makes the journey difficult. But this is our job. If we do not work, it becomes difficult for us,” he said.

However, auto drivers overall reported no major disruption, with rides continuing despite the weather. One driver said such conditions were not entirely unfamiliar in Odisha and that he was still getting passengers.

Rain keeps customers away: Small traders also felt the impact of reduced customer footfall. Manohar Sahu, a shopkeeper at Unit 9 Market Complex, said fewer customers had visited his shop since morning as people preferred to stay indoors. “Not many people have come to the market since morning. People are staying indoors because of bad weather, and business is slow and sales have been affected,” he said.

Although there were no major water logging reported from the City, wet conditions remained an inconvenience.