This city will not go the Mumbai way, says BMP. Do you want to believe it?

No fears of extensive flooding here…
This city will not go the Mumbai way


The Mumbai rains recorded a highest-ever of around 950 mm. It devastated the city bringing the financial capital of India to a grinding halt. While around 900 deaths due to floods have been officially recorded lakhs of people are yet to recover from the rain trauma, even while the city is limping back to normal. However, what worries many Bangaloreans is whether Bangalore can go the Mumbai way and the answer is 'no'.
No cause for worry

A quick round of the Met Department revealed that Bangalore is safe and there is nothing to worry. Officials at the Met Department say, "if you take into consideration the last 30 years, the highest rainfall Bangalore has received is 285.6 mm. Last year, the rainfall recorded came as close as 285.3 mm. The longest duration of rain recorded was in July 1998 and it stood at 123.5 mm when it rained 24 hours. And during 2005, the city so far has recorded a highest of 35.1 mm, which was on July 24". On future rains, they said, officially the monsoon will get over on September 30 but after that the city will go through the northeast monsoon effect for sometime and then the rains will recede. However, they predict there wouldn't be any torrential rains.

Low level areas
The Bangalore City Corporation on the other hand has circled out Ejipura in Koramangala Valley, Shankarappa Garden in Vrishabavathi Valley, and some areas around Ulsoor Lake as floodprone areas. A top BCC official said, "usually, floods in Bangalore don't last for more than two hours. If the situation goes out of control we will evacuate the residents from that area. We have four task forces situated in each of the zones apart from one at the BCC main control room. Each task force has 30 trained men on the job with an excavator, motors to pump out the water, and all other necessary equipment. In addition to the taskforce there are about 100 people who will be pressed into service during rains. The Prahari teams will lead the operations.

The tendency of rains in Bangalore is that 85 percent rains occur between 4 pm and 4 am.
In Bangalore the main cause for water logging is the functional failure of storm water drains (SWD). Over the years, these SWD have become incapacitated. Rapid urbanisation, encroachment to SWDs, damages in the drain walls and blockages in the drains are the main causes for overflowing of storm water leading to floods.

Potential hazards
Watch out for potholes, open ditches, and electric accidents. If you are on the road and water logging is up to your knee, it is difficult to wade through your way as you cannot make out where the road ends or starts. So always stick to the middle of the road and never get to the extreme left of the road because there may be SWD flowing at the road level. If you are in an area where branches and trees have been uprooted, there are chances of power lines getting snapped and lying on the road. The Bescom usually cuts off power supply during heavy rains in such areas but in any case watch out for live wires around you when you are on the move.

When in trouble…
The BBC's task force will be working around the clock to help citizens affected by rains during the monsoon. For emergencies call: BCC control room:
22221188, 22100033
East control room:
22975803
West control room:
23341692
South control room:
26566362