Heavy rains to disrupt Cauvery water supply in parts of Bengaluru

Torrential rains overnight brought Bengaluru to its knees on Monday as several areas were inundated, and water-logging on roads including arterial ones hit traffic flow while boats and tractors were pressed into service in certain parts. Adding to the woes, water supply in several areas of the city will be affected on Tuesday owing to heavy rains.

According to a release by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the Cauvery catchment area and Tore KaadanaHalli have witnessed an increase in water level over the last few days, leaving the pumping station equipment submerged.

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Water supply to Bengaluru through third and fourth pumping units of Cauvery second stage has been affected, the release said. While the third unit pumps upto 330 MLD of water, the fourth unit pumps 550 MLD of water.

Why it happened?

According to senior BWSSB officials, the pumping station plays a crucial role in ensuring water supply to the city and hence, they are working towards ensuring quick resolution. "This is the first time in the last 70 years such an incident has occurred. The motors and electric panels are completely submerged. Now, we need to open up all the machines, repair them and dry them up. Once they are repaired, we have to test if they can hold the electric capacity and then start pumping water," N Jayaram, BWSSB Chairperson told DH. He added, "Now, we have completed 80 per cent dewatering. By tomorrow evening we expect to start pumping from one of the units. Once we start pumping, it will take at least 8-10 hours to reach Bengaluru. As a precautionary measure, we had built retaining walls but the heavy rains have breached the mark."

Areas affected

The areas that are likely to be affected include: Malleshwaram, Yeshwantpur, Seshadripuram, Okalipuram, Yelahanka, Jakkur, Hanumanthanagar, Srinagar, Moodalapalya, BEML Layout, Ramamurthy Nagar, JP Nagar, Nayandahalli, Silk Board colony, Mahadevapura, Singasandra, SBM Colony, HRBR Layout, Nagavara, Kamakshipalya, Frazer Town, Avenue Road, Majestic, Gandhinagar, Laggere, Marathahalli, Bommanahalli, Mysore road, Kodigehalli, Bannerghatta Road, Domlur and surrounding areas.