Bengaluru is prone to flooding during the monsoon season, causing much damage to public and private property. This year, the BBMP claims it is ready to meet any contingency.
“The storm water drain (SWD) network is capable of carrying storm water with a high intensity of rain and the city floods only when there is a huge downpour in a short span of time. Also, the clogged drains prevent the smooth flow of storm water,” said BBMP commissioner M. K. Shankarlinge Gowda.
Low-lying areas have been identified and preventive measures are being taken. Retaining walls are being built to prevent flooding. Nandini Layout, Bakshi Garden, Azadnagar in Chamarajpet, parts of Banashankari Ejipura, Mysore Road, parts of Hebbal and Koramangala are low-lying areas that face problems every monsoon. The BBMP has de-silted the four major drains - Koramangala, Challaghatta, Hebbal and Vrishabhavathi. The tertiary drains too have been de-silted for rain water to run off smoothly, the commissioner said.
Responsibility for different areas has been fixed on senior officers at the BBMP head office and all eight zonal offices. “The control rooms have been strengthened and equipped with all the necessary requirements like electric saw, rope, ladder, high power torch and other accessories to attend to emergencies. Trees have been pruned so that they don't fall in high winds," said Mr Gowda.
Flooding has been arrested on Mysore Road by removing encroachments. The Gali Anjaneya temple too will not be flooded as rain water will be arrested at the Kempambudhi Lake. The drain near the temple will also be elevated, Mr Gowda added. The BBMP has sought extension of two years to complete work on the SWD. Remodelling of the SWD will cost Rs 173 crore and special grants of Rs 250 crore by the state government will be utilised to combat flooding, added sources.