After receiving 3 hours of heavy rainfall, measuring over 75 mm, Bengaluru on Friday witnessed walls of stormwater getting breached or partly collapsing in many places, flooding in may low lying territories and tossing regular life out of gear. Videos showed many vehicles being swept away and inundation of several roads.
A part of the sustaining wall of the storm water drain collapsed close to Dattatreya Layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar which resulted in water entering houses in the area.
Many residents had a harrowing experience as the water mixed with sewerage, slush, and garbage entered into their homes. They were kept occupied flushing the water out while struggling to keep the ration, clothes and electrical appliances away from the water.
Apart from this, the vehicular movement was also severely affected which resulted in traffic jams in key junctions across the Central Business district.
Revenue Minister R. Ashoka was himself monitoring the relief operations after many reports of floods in low lying areas and traffic jams.
The Fire and Police department workforce came together alongside BBMP workers to clear out traffic across the city, with many vehicles breaking down because of the heavy rain adding to the traffic troubles.
At some locations, due to the bumper to bumper traffic with many auto-rickshaws breaking down adding to the chaos, even the police officers threw their hands in despair.
Many Municipal Commissioners along with elected representatives, including Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayana himself two days prior, acknowledged that a major contributing factor for such floods was the encroachments on the stormwater drains.
In the interim, a Yellow alert for Bengaluru for the next two days has been issued by the India Meteorological Department, which means the city will be getting anywhere between 64 mm to 115 mm rainfall.
Hosakerehalli, Nayandahalli, Basavanagudi, Bommanahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, and encompassing places witnessed waterlogging because of the heavy rains as serval roads and houses were submerged in these areas.
R Ashoka stated that he will be speaking to the Chief Minister on the topic of providing relief to those people who were affected and the officials have been ordered to carry out the survey work.
He said, “Last night itself NDRF team was called in, who rescued three people. Water and food arrangements have been made for those in need.”
The Met department is forecasting rain for two more days.
