Barely 10mm of rain could submerge 7 Bengaluru localities
HIGHLIGHTS
As little as 10mm of rain can flood seven of 174 flood-prone localities identified by the State Disaster Monitoring Centre
Lack of space for percolation of rainwater and the poor state of the drainage network are reasons for the situation
BENGALURU: Residents may be praying for early rain to counter the scorching summer heat, but a Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) report has identified 174 flood-prone areas in the city. And, as little as 10mm of rain can flood seven of these localities this monsoon.
The report attributes lack of space for percolation of rainwater and the poor state of the drainage network as reasons for the situation. Shubha Avinash, project scientist, hydrology section, KSNDMC, told TOI there were at least seven locations within BBMP limits that are prone to frequent floods and that even 10mm of rain can cause flooding.
"Most of the locations are in the South and Bommanahalli zones. We have updated Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials so that they can prepare an action plan," she said.
Heavy rain in July last year had caused flooding in southeast Bengaluru, forcing the government to request National Disaster Response Force to send out lifeboats. Following this, the state government ordered a large-scale demolition drive to remove encroachments on drains which was stopped owing to the shortage of surveyors.
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Dr G S Srinivasa Reddy, director, KSNDMC, said an old drain network, encroachments and blockage of inlets are the main reasons for flooding in the city. "Bengaluru receives total rainfall of about 900mm annually. During 1940s, only 30% of the rain entered storm water drains as there was space for the rest of the water for percolation and tanks were in a good position to hold water. Today, it is the opposite scenario, thanks to the uncontrolled urbanization and concretization," he said.
Reddy spoke to STOI on the side lines of a workshop on weather monitoring organized jointly by KSNDMC and Karnataka Media Academy.
TIMES VIEW
The Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre's warning about possible flooding in Bengaluru could not have been more stern and more timely. It's now up to all the civic agencies of the city to work speedily to prevent this disaster from unfolding. Bengalureans are weary of dealing with water-logging and traffic gridlocks every time it rains. The regular recurrence of flooding is a sad indictment of the lack of preparedness of the civic authorities in dealing with an old problem. It's time for the officials to pull up their socks and take preemptive measures.