8th may2015 Delayed response by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Forest Cell to the tree fall complaints prompted Jude Rajesh Ferrao, a resident of HRBR Layout, to take matter rather axe into his own hands. The 49-year-old Ferrao procured tree cutting machine five years ago from a dealer at NR Road after the Palike Forest cell didn't bother to clear the tree at his locality despite repeated complaints. "Many trees were uprooted in Banaswadi and other parts of East zone owing to strong winds and heavy showers in 2009. The uncleared trees and branches had led to traffic jams. I called up the BBMP helplines but to no avail. That's when, I decided to take up the task of clearing the fallen trees, of course with the help of locals. I bought the machine on May 27, 2009 for Rs 30,000, " said, Ferrao, a civil defence personnel. Ferrao got into the act of clearing the trees uprooted during thunder showers and monsoon. Till date, he has cleared about 50-60 full-grown trees that had fallen on houses, footpaths and lanes. Recalling his first experience, Ferrao said, "In 2009, a huge tree fell on a house where six people were residing. I got a call from Banaswadi Police (Law and Order) for the rescue operation. I was happy that I could do it successfully and saved lives." The machine weighing about five kilos runs on petrol. "There is maintenance that needs to be done after every use. It has a tank with a capacity of 650 ml and a lubrication tank as well," he added. Ferrao, who is working as deputy division warden at Division 43, Civil Defence for the past four years, said that this season he has cleared 11 trees with his machine. What's more, even the Palike hires his service "We were deputed by the BBMP for clearing tree branches and trees. The machines brought by the Palike workers were not maintained properly. Hence, I preferred using my machine." Ferrao said that he had lodged complaint with BBMP ACF East Sathyanarayana about a full grown tree which is in a bad shape. 'No rights to cut tree' "The tree can collapse any moment. As I do not have the right to cut the tree, I bought it to the notice of the officer (ACF-East Sathyanarayana). But the said official has not bothered to respond," laments Ferrao, who is also the president of Citizens Welfare Association, HRBR 2nd Block.
BENGALURU:With the recent thundershowers wreaking havoc in the city, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Bengaluru is prepared for any eventuality once the monsoon sets in.
According to the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), south interior Karnataka, where the city lies, is the least prone to earthquakes, cyclones and strong winds. But it is the rains that cause pandemonium in the Garden City. This April, the city recorded 273 mm of rain, against the normal forecast of 40 mm — the most for the month in 14 years.
Whenever it rains heavily, low-lying areas are flooded and poles and trees come crashing down.
Ritesh Kumar Singh, secretary of the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, said there is a system in place to be followed in case of a disaster. “We have an emergency operations centre, which monitors and gathers data related to impending disasters. Once the data is analysed, the state government alerts the districts, and the Deputy Commissioners coordinate disaster management,” he told Express.
Bengaluru has a battalion each of the national and state Disaster Response Forces. “They are well-trained. Civil defence organisations are also used in such situations,” Singh said.
However, there are many who feel the city may not be up to the task. Traffic expert M N Srihari said the recent rain damage proved that the government is ill-prepared. “The drains are pathetic. When it floods, traffic is affected, and this leads to many other problems,” he said.
Civic expert V Ravichander called for a proper chain of command to deal with emergency situations. “This time, we have been caught off guard as the rains came very early. We should study the city’s trees. The weak ones must be identified and pruned so that they do not fall down. Coordination between organisations like the BBMP, Fire and Emergency Services and the BESCOM is important,” he said.
‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
Dr Prabhakar, professor of environmental science at BU, believes poor planning has cost the city. “Everything was fine till the 1970s, when the city was well-planned. After that, buildings sprang up overnight. Congestion caused by encroachments leads to choked drains and passages. Enough is enough, the city has grown beyond its limits.”
ARE WE READY?
To handle disasters, B’luru has a battalion each of the national and state Disaster Response Forces.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/City-Safe-But-Disaster-Squad-Ready/2015/05/03/article2794887.ece
According to the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), south interior Karnataka, where the city lies, is the least prone to earthquakes, cyclones and strong winds. But it is the rains that cause pandemonium in the Garden City. This April, the city recorded 273 mm of rain, against the normal forecast of 40 mm — the most for the month in 14 years.
Whenever it rains heavily, low-lying areas are flooded and poles and trees come crashing down.
Ritesh Kumar Singh, secretary of the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority, said there is a system in place to be followed in case of a disaster. “We have an emergency operations centre, which monitors and gathers data related to impending disasters. Once the data is analysed, the state government alerts the districts, and the Deputy Commissioners coordinate disaster management,” he told Express.
Bengaluru has a battalion each of the national and state Disaster Response Forces. “They are well-trained. Civil defence organisations are also used in such situations,” Singh said.
However, there are many who feel the city may not be up to the task. Traffic expert M N Srihari said the recent rain damage proved that the government is ill-prepared. “The drains are pathetic. When it floods, traffic is affected, and this leads to many other problems,” he said.
Civic expert V Ravichander called for a proper chain of command to deal with emergency situations. “This time, we have been caught off guard as the rains came very early. We should study the city’s trees. The weak ones must be identified and pruned so that they do not fall down. Coordination between organisations like the BBMP, Fire and Emergency Services and the BESCOM is important,” he said.
‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
Dr Prabhakar, professor of environmental science at BU, believes poor planning has cost the city. “Everything was fine till the 1970s, when the city was well-planned. After that, buildings sprang up overnight. Congestion caused by encroachments leads to choked drains and passages. Enough is enough, the city has grown beyond its limits.”
ARE WE READY?
To handle disasters, B’luru has a battalion each of the national and state Disaster Response Forces.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/City-Safe-But-Disaster-Squad-Ready/2015/05/03/article2794887.ece
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