Is Bengaluru prepared for the upcoming monsoon?

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Unfortunately, Bengaluru has been infamous for being ill prepared for the monsoon season. The city's drainage system is often inadequate, causing flooding and waterlogging on roads and residential areas.

Additionally, the infrastructure in many parts of the city is not designed to withstand heavy rainfall, resulting in frequent power outages and damage to buildings and roads. While the India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rains for the next four days, Bangalore's municipal authorities should take necessary precautions and improve the city's infrastructure to avoid potential damage and inconvenience caused by the upcoming monsoon season.

According to Raghavendra B Pachhapur, ActionAid Association, the issue of unplanned storm water drains and unplanned drainage systems in the city is not a today problem, it has been happening for decades.

“There are several departments involved in the process of making the city ready for the monsoon including several qualified engineers. But, are they doing their jobs?” he questions. He also added, “If there is a flood, a person who can afford to take a hotel or stay at a different place will not be as affected as a poor person from a slum depending on daily wages who has to spend his nights on the street.”

According to Pinky Chandran, an independent researcher and journalist, simply focusing on upgrading a city's infrastructure without first addressing underlying problems is futile. Instead, it is essential to identify and resolve the root causes of existing issues while simultaneously improving infrastructure. By prioritising the resolution of underlying issues, cities can ensure that their infrastructure upgrades are effective and sustainable in the long run.

Recent incidents

The stormwater drain on Magrath Road, Richmond Road is completely clogged with silt and sand. If it rains, the water will not be able to flow through the road which will result in flooding the road. After a 10-minute rain in White filed on May 1, the main road outside nexus mall was completely flooded causing a major inconvenience for the movement of traffic.

After heavy rains in the northern side of the city on May 2, water entered the arrival side of the Kempegowda International Airport. Several people residing near waterbodies, slums and low-lying areas are already dreading the monsoon season and some slums have already reported monsoon water mixing with sewage water seeping into their homes.

Let’s recap…

Last year's monsoon was a nightmare, particularly for those residing in slums and low-lying areas. In Bakshi Garden, located in the Chalavadipalya Ward, rainwater mixed with sewage flooded houses, causing immense hardship for the residents. They were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge outside shops and bus stops with their families.

Muniyamma, a resident of Bakshi Garden with three children, recounts, "During last year's monsoon, we couldn't eat, drink water, or leave our homes. Women and children were struggling without basic amenities like food, sanitation, and clean drinking water."

Following the monsoon, residents of Nanjappa Garden slum demanded that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) fix the stormwater drain. However, Jancy, a slum resident, reports that BBMP arrived, moved some stones, and then declared the issue too complex to resolve before leaving the job incomplete. As a result, the condition of the drain worsened. With the monsoon predicted to arrive this year, Jancy and her family are extremely worried.

"I'm certain this year's monsoon will be terrible, and it's too late for the BBMP to offer us any solutions," she laments. She expresses her frustration, saying that with elections approaching in less than a week, slum residents have no hope of receiving any assistance or solution from authorities.

People’s request

Pinky Chandran points out that all the departments that are involved such as BBMP, Public Works Department (PWD), and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), should come and work together to solve the issues from the backend.

Another suggestion she places is that the people need to be aware of the disaster management guidelines and helpline numbers for urban floods so they can be prepared and act immediately in case of sudden rains.

Pointing out that Congress has announced several schemes for the poor and the BJP announced that they will provide free gas cylinders, Jancy said, “We are not asking for these things. We want basic needs. We want basic needs such as drinking water, food and shelter.”