IT hub or water world! Kendriya Vihar residents evacuated

By Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: Clutching bags that contained everything that they could salvage from their homes, residents of Kendriya Vihar clambered onto the boats deployed by the National Disaster Response Force at Kendriya Vihar on Monday. Yelahanka witnessed a record 130 mm of rainfall on Sunday night and Kendriya Vihar, built on a low-lying area, was inundated after the nearby Amani Lake overflowed, with water levels in the building rising to four-feet.

Rescue operations began early on Monday morning, with boats, tractors and earth-movers deployed to evacuate residents. Rescue teams were sent in by the BBMP, NDRF and the Fire and Emergency Services. MLA S.R. Vishwanath was also present, overseeing the rescue of 600- odd families trapped inside the waterlogged complex.

The compound wall was broken to provide an outlet for the water. Teams of volunteers distributed emergency supplies like vegetables, milk, biscuits and water bottles, said a resident. A BBMP medical team was stationed nearby, along with an ambulance to tend to medical emergencies. The building is home to many senior citizens, whose children are abroad.

“We have to appreciate our MLA’s efforts today,” said Ugrappa Gowda, who works as the building’s maintenance manager. “He visited the spot and has made several arrangements to rescue the stranded citizens.”

It has been a traumatic few days for residents, however, some of whom are disillusioned and want to leave the place as soon as they can. Bharatadri, who works at Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, is one of them. On Friday night, he was unable to return to his building after work, while his wife remained stranded indoors. “I have been here for six months but that was a horrifying experience. I have decided to vacate and move to a safer place,” he said.