It’s pouring pre-monsoon blues

It’s pouring pre-monsoon blues
Civic Measures Lacking | Residents Fear Worse Days Ahead
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Short but heavy spells of windy rain cooled down what began as a hot day in the city on Sunday. But the pre-monsoon showers seemed to lash most areas with a vengeance.
Dayanand slum near Lalbagh was inundated and at least six tree-falls were reported at the BBMP control rooms by late evening. This included one each at West of Chord Road, Mahalakshmipuram, Moore Road and opposite K R Puram police station, and two at Vidyaranyapura.
Three electric poles broke at Kengeri, Ramamurthynagar and Kaggalipura, forcing residents to spend hours without power. Bescom officials at work did not confirm when it’ll be restored. Some parts of South Bangalore were also affected by power cuts for a while.
PROBLEM AREAS
The rain not only dampened weekend plans, but also triggered fears of the upcoming monsoon’s impact on areas that were badly hit last year. “Ten minutes of heavy rain was enough to flood low-lying areas in Sai Gardens. It takes just a drizzle for power to be hit for at least twothree hours,” a resident of the layout near Whitefield said.
Last year, residents had complained of haphazard repair work after heavy rains. The main problem was due to an overflowing drain connecting Elemallappa lake at Avalahalli and Varthur Kodi. Desilting work promised by the authorities is still not over.
ENDLESS WAIT
Residents of Ashtalakshmi Layout in Puttenahalli are also apprehensive. Repair work that started more than six months ago is yet to be completed. The roads are dug up and drains choked. Sunday’s rain made it impossible for residents to step out. Drains on either side of the main road overflowed in no time and flooded the streets. “It might soon affect drinking water supply from the borewell nearby,” a resident said.
OVERFLOWING DRAINS
Heavy rain in Cambridge Layout, Ulsoor, flooded the streets. Trees and branches were intact, though. “But waterlogging continues, particularly on the road next to the storm water drain that leads to Domlur.”
Nothing more than mild drizzle over the past few days is giving residents of Sahakarnagar sleepless nights. “What worries us is lack of precautionary measures,” said M S Srinivas, a resident. Storm water drains in the area are said to be in bad shape. “No progress has been made after last year’s floods. Only the main road was asphalted. We might have problems again this time if nothing is done soon,” he said.
NO STREET LIGHTS
Malathi Varadarajan of Sampigenagar near Electronic City said the area is a picture of neglect with bad roads and no street lights. Rain only makes it worse. “We were almost blinded by heavy rain on Saturday night and landed in a waterlogged pit on a road. It’s been a long wait for well-lit roads. We hope to see light of the day at least before monsoon,” she said.
SOME RELIEF
Repair work worth Rs 1.1 crore was completed in February at Ejipura, among the perennial problem areas. Despite heavy rain on Sunday, accompanied by strong winds, residents did not have to worry much about damage. Residents of Ashwini Layout had suffered heavy waterlogging due to improper outflow of drain water