Vehicles wade through a waterlogged stretch near Sishu Bhavan Square in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

An hour's rainfall in Bhubaneswar threw day-to-day activities out of gear with several areas going underwater, including Acharya Vihar, Jayadev Vihar, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Forest Park, Rajmahal and Vani Vihar.

Bhubaneswar received 20.2mm rain, which exposed the ailing drainage system in what is set to become a smart city. Thousands of city residents were spotted taking shelter under tea kiosks and bus sheds during the heavy shower.

Traffic went for a toss as soon as the rain stopped. Vehicles were stranded on the busy intersections at Vani Vihar, Acharya Vihar and Jayadev Vihar. The Met department has forecast the weather to be cloudy on Thursday with chances of rain and thundershower.

Picture by Ashwinee Pati