DELAYED STORM Water drain repair leads to flooding of homes in Devarachikkanahalli

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Several houses in Devarachikkanahalli, located in Bommanahalli, Bengaluru, experienced severe flooding on Tuesday night following heavy rainfall. Distressed residents were spotted cleaning their homes in the aftermath of the flooding, attributing the inundation to the delayed repair works on storm-water drains.

Residents voiced their concerns over the entry of drainage water into their houses, squarely blaming the Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for initiating repair activities during the rainy season. Despite the presence of BBMP officials at the site, they refrained from approaching the affected houses due to the extensive flooding caused by the drainage water. Expressing their frustration, residents highlighted that such issues have persisted for years, particularly during the rainy season.

One long - term resident of Bengaluru, who has witnessed four decades of living in the city, questioned the timing of the BBMP's repair work, emphasising the need for immediate attention from the authorities. The resident specifically appealed to Siddaramaiah, the incumbent government representative, to address these recurring problems.

Additionally, the flooding reached underground sumps, necessitating the use of motors by residents to pump out the accumulated storm-water. The ongoing repair work on storm-water drains in Devarachikkanahalli was captured in videos, illustrating the construction activities in progress.

Further complaints arose from residents who pointed out that the flooding occurred due to blockages in the drainage system. They lamented the inadequacy of the repair efforts, citing the presence of only two workers assigned to the task. They emphasised that a larger workforce and timely completion of repairs before the onset of the rainy season would have prevented such situations.

Similar problems have plagued the area for a span of eight to ten years, according to another resident's account. Last year, Bengaluru experienced urban flooding in several areas due to heavy rainfall, with improper maintenance of storm-water drains and the construction of houses in low-lying regions identified as contributing factors to the inundation of residential properties in the city.

The repeated occurrence of flooding and the grievances of the affected residents highlight the urgent need for the BBMP and relevant authorities to address the issue of timely repairs and effective maintenance of storm-water drains, particularly during the rainy season. The community eagerly awaits a resolution to prevent the recurrence of such distressing situations in the future.