A trip around a few waterlogged areas

By Sanjay R Murty | NT

Bengaluru: In southwestern Bengaluru, the worst rain-hit area was Hosakerehalli. The low-lying locality near Banashankari 3rd Stage is situated near a lake and a couple of stormwater drains. At least 60 houses were reportedly inundated here. The situation even prompted Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to visit the area on Wednesday. “We requested the CM and BBMP officials to come up with a long-term solution for this issue,” Gurudatta, the priest at Hosakerehalli Dattapeetha said.

However, the Nodal Officer of Hosakerehalli ward told News Trail that the damage due to Tuesday’s rain was less than expected. “A couple of houses were inundated here. This time it was mostly because of the reverse flow in sanitary lines, especially in basement houses,” he said.

According to him, the stormwater drains near the ward were desilted and cleaned following the recent incident of flooding. Several houses were inundated in and around Hosakerehalli last month because of the blockage in storm-water drains.

Vasanta Vallabha Nagar
In southern Bengaluru, one of the worst rain-affected areas was Vasanta Vallabha Nagar near Vasantapura. Thick sludge enveloped the roads here on Wednesday making lives miserable for the residents.

“Two-wheelers got stuck in the sludge. The heavy rain added deep potholes on the roads,” Aniruddha Ravindra, a resident, said. He blamed the BWSSB for the mess. “BWSSB has been carrying out the work for over three months without finishing it. We are now paying the price for their callous attitude,” he said. Vasanta Vallabha Nagar is located close to a major Cauvery water pipeline that supplies water to the entire city.

Shantinagar
The main roads of the centrally located Shantinagar were flooded on Tuesday. Prasad Shivarudrappa of Shantinagar Residents’ Welfare Association said that rainwater entered many homes there. He pointed out that a temporary shed was built on a passage where rainwater used to flow. He said the passage has now been converted into a driveway, obstructing the free flow of rainwater. Rainwater up to several inches had accumulated in homes on 6th and 8th Cross near Lakshmi Road. “We had suggested to BWSSB authorities that the drain from Nanjappa Road be linked to the large storm-water drain next to KSRTC head office,” he said.

HBR Layout 5th Block
Residents of HBR Layout 5th Block too faced problems due to waterlogging. Pradeep, a resident, said the stormwater drains get runoff water that is much beyond their capacity. “Also, an elevated railway track near the area with the drain running below it contributes to waterlogging. The stretch of the Rajakaluve below the old track is not wide enough to facilitate fast drainage of rainwater,” he said. Water gushed into several houses in HBR Layout on Tuesday night. Elected representatives and authorities make promises but seldom fulfil them, according to the residents.