An eerie mood prevailed in Dilsukhnagar areas on the morning after the twin blasts that claimed 16 lives and injured over a 100.

“I fell down due to the impact of the blast and am happy that I am still alive to talk to you,’’ D. Gopala Krishna, who runs a gift emporium in the area, told Business Line here on Friday.

His ‘Nine2Nine Dollarshop’ is located beside Venkatdri Cinema and right behind the bus-stop in Dilsuknagar where one of the powerful explosions occurred on Thursday evening.

Krishna, who was lucky to escape without any injuries as his shop was in the cellar.

“But all the glass articles were broken due to the impact and loss is yet to be estimated,’’ he said.

The main road, which is generally choked with vehicular traffic and street-vendors, remained empty except for the police and curious on-lookers.

For 18-year-old Yadgiri, who works in a mobile phone outlet, it was a close shave with death. “I just stepped out from the Ramesh Tea Canteen and my ears went numb due to the blast,’’ he recounted.

Though agitated and worried, most of the people were appreciative of the police, especially the Inspector of the area, Narayana Raju.

“For the last 10 days, he has been on a drive to remove vendors from the foot-path. Without this, there would have been more deaths,’’ Krishna said.

Rescue efforts also began immediately, they added. The consternation of the residents is obvious as the area had become a ‘favourite’ for terror designs.

“Most of us living here are from the middle class and salaried employees. I don’t know why we are being targeted,’’ said Penmesta Adilakshmi, a house wife, while protectively holding her daughter near a temple on the other side of the road.

Shops, educational institutions and other business establishments remained shut which is an unusual sight in this part of the city, which is full of life and activity.

naga.gunturi@thehindu.co.in

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