Life limping to normalcy in flood-hit S-E Bengaluru

The clear skies on Sunday brought much-needed relief to residents from inundated roads in the flood-affected areas of South East Bengaluru. Almost all residents spent their weekends cleaning their houses that were filled with rain water coupled with slush.

While the fire personnel had almost completed the work of draining out water from the roads, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) workers were engaged in clearing the rajakaluve and stormwater drains to make way for the water to flow smoothly to the downstream of the Madiwala lake from the Hulimavu and Arekere lakes.

Kodichikkanahalli, BTM layout and Central Silk Board junction among others were the worst affected areas after three lakes breached their boundaries owing to heavy rainfall.

The waters had gushed into more than 300 houses in these areas and DUO Enclave and Anugraha layout were the worst-hit. These localities are limping back to normalcy.

With situation almost returning to normalcy, the fire personnel left the area on Sunday afternoon.

N R Markandeya, deputy director (fire prevention), Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES) told Deccan Herald that the entire area has been dried up using motor pumps since three days.

Unscientific construction
“The situation is normal now. But, all these areas can flood again as the rajakaluve is blocked and buildings are constructed unscientifically. At least 250 personnel were part of rescue operations for the last three days and we are prepared for the worst again”, he said.

Manoj Bhandary, a resident of DUO Enclave layout said: “We spent the weekend draining out the water. It was a holiday and there were hardly any labourers around. We had access to electricity by afternoon as well as Cauvery water. We are somehow settling down. The fire personnel were of big help to the residents”, he noted. Bhandary said he shifted his grandparents to his friend’s house in the neighbouring Vijay Bank layout and would get them back if it does not rain heavily in the coming days.

‘There is no outlet still’
Sethu Madhav, a retired government employee residing in Anugraha layout was not happy with the work done by the Palike. “The inflow of water from the Hulimavu lake to the residential areas has come down. However, the flood-like situation is going to return as BBMP has not created an outlet still. The civic authorities have only drained out excess water using motor pumps. But, where is the outlet for the rainwater to flow, if the inflow is more?”

However, BBMP officials said they have taken up the work of desilting the periphery of the Madiwala lake which would create an outlet.
DH News Service