Take cover, monsoon is here

Take cover, monsoon is here
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The city, which has been experiencing thunder showers, can brace for more rain, officially. The weatherman says that the south-west monsoon has arrived in the state. Indian Meteorological Department officials said monsoon winds have started blowing across Karwar, Chitradurga, Vellore and Chennai. As they move further west, heavy rain is expected for the next few days across the state. The city recorded 7 cm rainfall on Saturday.
According to Met department director Muthuchami, the south-west monsoon has entered the coastal and southern interiors of Karnataka. The rainfall is expected to intensify during the nights and early mornings in the coastal areas. In Bangalore, the rainfall is likely to be more in the evenings and nights. However, Rajegowda, agro meteorology department, GKVK, said south-west monsoon winds are yet to enter the state’s southern interiors. What Bangalore is receiving at present is the terminal rainfall of the pre-monsoon season. “It will continue for the next four days and the monsoon is expected to cover most parts of the state by June 6 and heavy rainfall is expected mainly in the last week of June,’’ he said.
GKVK’s agro meteorology department predicts that this year, the state may receive an average rainfall of 805 mm. On Sunday, Bangalore city received 4 cm rains, with a normal wind speed. But tree-falling incidents were reported from many areas through the day. RMV extension, Anil Kumble circle, Nandini layout, HAL 2nd stage, Jayanagar 4th block, Chamarajpet, Srinivasanagar, Vijayanagar, Indiranagar 2nd stage and C V Raman Institute in Sadashivanagar reported tree falls. Water-logging was also reported from many areas including Ejipura and Viveknagar.
A car was damaged after a tree fell on it in RMV extension. In many parts of the core city areas, water-logged roads led to traffic jams. On Palace road, private buses were seen caught in slush. Heavy rains lashed south Bangalore and areas like Hosur road and Bannerghatta road reported traffic logjams due to the showers. Outpouring of WOES
Bangalore: The sun beat down hard in the early hours of Sunday, when a team of BBMP officials and two newly elected legislators hit the road in rainhit areas of South Bangalore. The residents’ woes, though, poured in as the teams covered the affected areas.
BJP’s Rajajinagar MLA S Suresh Kumar and Padmanabhanagar MLA R Ashok were part of the team that covered areas including Banashankari 3rd Stage. Effectiveness of stormwater drains was reviewed during the visit. A retaining wall next to an open drain in Channamanekere in BSK 3rd Stage had collapsed during the rain over the weekend. The residents wanted the officials to assess the situation in the area to avoid accidents, Suresh Kumar said.
The team, which included BBMP commissioner S Subramanya, also visited affected areas in Mysore Road, KR Market and Rajarajeshwarinagar.
The largely residential areas of Papaiah Garden, in BSK 3rd Stage, continue to be hit by the pre-monsoon showers, according to residents. All it takes to understand why is a look into the existing drains. “Since this area is marked by low in-roads, the drains have to be extra good but here, the drains are far from good,’’ said Sathish, a resident of Papaiah Garden.
The areas, that fall under Ward No. 56, are marked by drains that are blocked by everything from choultry leftovers to broken helmets to coconuts. The residents pointed out that despite a history of minor flooding in the areas, there has been no check on dumping of construction material in the drains. On 4th Main, stones from a construction site have been dumped right in the middle of a drain, blocking any movement of rainwater.
“The roads are by and large good in these areas. But the existing drains continue to be blocked by litter and dumped sand and stones,’’ said Gangadhar, a resident.
Vulnerable areas identified
Later in the day, top officials of BBMP and the health department, along with the legislators, sat together to formulate a contingency plan to meet emergencies during the monsoon season. According to officials who attended the meeting — called by Suresh Kumar and Ashok — control rooms would be set up in eight zones of Bangalore.
Officials with assigned responsibilities will be identified, while more than 200 locations in Bangalore that are vulnerable to the impact of rain have been identified. Puttenahalli and surrounding areas, apart from other areas in the southern parts of the city, have been identified as vulnerable points. The official team will continue visits to rain-affected areas on Monday. The areas to be inspected on Monday include Bantappa Colony, Silk Board Junction, Puttenahalli, RMV Extension and Badrappa Colony.
The onset of monsoon that jammed several areas of the city on Saturday has worked as a wake-up call for the authorities. Waterlogging was reported from across the city, while 25 trees also fell after rain lashed the city.