Ready for the rains?

Citizens are asking, ‘Is our city prepared for a heavy downpour?’

The weather office has predicted heavy rains for Bengaluru this month. Given the havoc in Kerala and parts of Karnataka this season, citizens are asking, ‘Is our city prepared?’

The municipal authorities have set up control rooms in 63 sub-divisions and eight zonal offices to respond to rain emergencies, according to BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad. “We have identified 300 vulnerable water-logging points and done civil works,” he told Metrolife.

The traffic police say they are doing their bit. Anupam Agrawal, DCP (traffic division), says, “We have identified areas prone to water-logging and informed the BBMP.” Bengaluru police also ensure extra staff are deployed to clear fallen trees, he explains.

Urban experts like Ashwin Mahesh say the authorities should identify what causes water-logging and flooding. “Soak pits must be created in the drainage network to allow water to soak into the ground. Preventing transporting of water to low-lying areas will stop flooding,” he says. T V Ramachandra, associate faculty, CiSTUP, Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra), IISc, recommends re-establishing interconnectivity among lakes (which requires removal of all encroachments). He believes that would reduce the frequency of floods and consequent damage to life and property.

How much rain?

According to Dr G S Srinivasa, director Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, there is subdued activity for the next one week.

“Heavy rains are expected across the state, including Bengaluru after September 15. Till then, we can expect light to moderate showers in the city,” Srinivasa told Metrolife.

How to prevent flooding

Remove all encroachments from lakes and maintain buffer zones.

Rejuvenate water bodies and maintain them regularly.

De-silt lakes to enhance storage and recharge groundwater.
(As recommended by Prof T V Ramachandra of IISc)

Drive to fill potholes from today

BBMP Chief Engineer has been directed to fill potholes on major roads. Work will start on September 3 in all zones.

Contractors must ensure that not a single potholes found in any road. Severe action needs to be taken against the contractors and engineers if there is any lapse in this regard.

For roads under maintenance with Python machines, a work order will be issued immediately. No time to float new tenders.

BBMP helpline

Call this number if you have rain-related queries: 080-22221188.