Overflowing Sarakki lake inundates many houses

Even as the situation is returning to normal in the flood-affected areas of BTM Layout and Kodichikkanahalli in South East Bengaluru, little has been done to safeguard the residents of Puttenahalli.

For, these people are living in constant fear after water from the overflowing Sarakki Lake has been gushing into their houses over the last three days. Many anxious residents were forced to leave their houses, with the roads being inundated all through the day and night. Around 30 girls aged between four and 18, all residents of the Prasanna Jyothi Ashram, were forced to evacuate.

To make matters worse, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is yet to find a way to drain the stagnant water.

“The lake, spread across 84 acres, has two waste weirs, but only one is functional. The civic agencies are scared of opening the second waste weir as it leads to the swollen Kodichikkanahalli lake, which has wreaked havoc in parts of BTM Layout and surrounding areas,” a resident said.

The affected areas include Ashwath Narayana and Sharadha Layouts. Besides the disconnection of power supply, residents also have to worry about snakes and a possible epidemic outbreak.

“We have been neglected by the civic authorities. The BBMP officials have done nothing to drain the water for the last three days. The toilets are overflowing and sewage water has entered into the sumps. We do not even have clean drinking water,” said Veena Mahesh, a resident of Ashwath Narayana Layout.

With the water level showing no signs of receding, many are considering shifting to other localities. “I am scared of the building’s foundation being weakened. Nearly 100 houses in and around the locality have been affected by the floods. There cannot be a free flow of water unless the BBMP desilts and de-weeds the drains,” said Yeshwanth M, another resident from the same area.

These views were echoed by another resident, Deepa N B. “The entire area is covered with water. We have many children in the area.

It is a challenge to relocate, especially shift senior citizens. There is no means of transport too,” Deepa expressed.
DH News Service