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BBMP mistakes rendering Bengaluru flood prone?

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Bengaluru is infamous for being illprepared for the monsoon season. According to a recent report from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Committee (KSNDMC), Bengaluru is ill-prepared for the approaching 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 city has been facing the same issue again and again and sometimes worse, residents of Bengaluru are raising the question: Is the BBMP doing its job?

A young college student in Bengaluru recently suffered injuries when a tree came crashing down on him. This is just one of many such incidents that happen every year during the monsoon season.

Last year's monsoon brought flooding to Bakshi Garden, a slum in Bengaluru. Residents were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge outside. The BBMP was called to fix the stormwater drain, but they left the job incomplete.

This, according to several citizens of the city, is a frequent occurrence. Raghavendra B Pachhapur from ActionAid Association said, “Bengaluru's storm-water drains need better maintenance. BBMP spends crores of money on maintenance, but silt is not removed from canal beds. RWAs could help with crossverification. Storm-water drains adjacent to main roads should be covered with walls and steel mesh to stop people from throwing solid waste.”

Kiran Kumar, a resident of Yeswanthpura, expressed his frustration regarding the annual promises made by BBMP to be monsoon-ready. He pointed out that instead of fulfilling these promises, essential tasks like de-silting drains, covering potholes, and closing open drains are often neglected.

He raised a critical question, "Do they actually follow through with their promises?" Furthermore, he highlighted how the BDA leaves most of its work incomplete in various areas of Bengaluru.

The lack of coordination between BBMP, BDA, and BWSSB exacerbates the situation, leading to numerous issues and creating more problems than providing solutions. KR Archana, Director of Reap Benefit, shared her concerns about urban flooding in well-developed areas during every monsoon season.

She criticised the BBMP for not taking any preparation or precautions despite witnessing significant damage every year.

Archana called for accountability and responsibility from all respective officers to minimize the damage caused to the city. Sumatra M B, an activist at CARF, highlighted the persistent issue of waterlogging that continues to afflict hundreds of slum dwellers.

While the BBMP has made some efforts to address the problem by clearing drains and addressing waterlogging in underpasses, the situation remains dire for slum areas.

Some residents allege that since the change in government, the current officers are blaming the previous officers while most officials have been transferred and are unfamiliar with the issues in the locality. During Bengaluru's monsoon, BBMP should prioritise de-silting storm-water drains for efficient drainage, strengthen low-lying area infrastructure, and safeguard utilities from potential damage. Conduct public awareness campaigns on monsoon safety to ensure residents stay informed and prepared.