Rain wreaks havoc; homes flooded

Rain wreaks havoc; homes flooded
By Satish Shile, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Hundreds of people across the City were caught unawares by the heavy rain that lashed Bangalore on Thursday night.


It was a sleepless night on Thursday for Prabhavathi and other residents of Bhadrappa Layout in Byatarayanapura zone.

“Throughout the night, all of us were busy clearing water in our house. This is common for us whenever the City receives heavy rain,” she said.

Hundreds of people across the City were caught unawares by the heavy rain that lashed Bangalore on Thursday night. Heavy downpour began around 10.30 pm and continued till 3 am. It resulted in flooding of the low-lying areas and areas close to storm-water drains.

Over 20 vehicles were damaged in wall collapse in various parts of the City. Sampangappa, a Kariyappa Layout resident, said residents of over 150 houses could not sleep the entire night.

“There was 2-feet high water throughout the locality, making life miserable. Remodelling of Hebbal storm water valley, going at a slow pace, has added to our woes. As construction of walls along the drain has not been completed, rain water gushes into houses.”

Gowramma, who runs a petty shop in the locality, said she lost foodgrains worth Rs 15,000 due to rain. K N Parameshappa, former member of Byatarayanapura CMC, blamed it on the negligence of BBMP authorities in completing drain works.

“We see people working only once in a week. If that is the pace of the work, it will take years to complete. Till then, residents will have to suffer,” he said.

Ramu, a resident of Balaji Layout, said: “Three years ago, we had witnessed a worse situation. We were taken to safer places in boats. But officers don’t seem to have learnt a lesson. Workers, who have taken up remodelling of the storm-water drain, have stopped the flow of water by dumping soil.

As a result, water gushes into residential areas. There is every possibility of the children getting affected by diseases because of filthy water.”

Many shops and factories on Mysore Road also suffered losses due to flooding. Water collected inside Leo, a furniture factory, resulted in loss to property. Mr K Ramani, owner, said property worth Rs 80,000 was lost due to rain. “For the fifth time, we are facing flooding in our area. Many a times, we have appealed to BBMP to take measures to prevent flooding,” he said.

Krishnayyana Palya, behind NGEF factory, Guddadahalli, Kuvempu Nagar, areas on Hesaraghatta Road, parts of Vivek Nagar, Ejipura, Koramangala, were also flooded.

Roof gives way

Water leakage in the newly-opened Lido Mall on Ulsoor Road caused a strip of the false roofing of an apparel showroom to collapse on Thursday night.

None was injured as the incident occurred in the night and the mall was closed. Narendra, operations manager of the mall, said: “A bit of work had to be completed and the roof had been cut for the purpose. Some bit must have fallen down.”