BENGALURU: Following heavy rain that caused flooding in areas such as Yeshwanthpura, MT Layout, Austin Town, Yelachanahalli and others, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath announced efforts to mitigate future flooding by redesigning major drains using funds from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
Addressing the media after over 55 homes across Bengaluru were flooded due to heavy rains on late Sunday evening and early Monday morning, Girinath announced a meeting with World Bank Officials who suggested redesigning major drains. One of the suggestions include collecting water at Kanateerava Stadium and pumping it during heavy rains.
“We will also use our funds to redesign the drains, install sluice gates at drains and lakes and set up rain gauges for monitoring rainfall. A sum of Rs 230 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund Government Of India has been allocated. Once the state cabinet approves of the fund and releases it, sluice gates and rain gauges will be installed in lakes. These measures will enable us to divert excess water into lakes and regulate the outflow through sluice gates to control flooding,” he said.
Further, he also provided details of rain impact on Monday morning and said, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already issued a yellow alert from October 21 to 24.
“In RR Nagar and Bommanahalli zones, rainfall measuring upto 50 mm lashed, causing 97 flooding incidents. 30 homes including 3 in Yelachanahalli, 18 in Nagadevahalli near Chitrakoot School, 8 in MT Layout were flooded. 7 cases of tree uprooting and 13 instances of pole damage were reported,” he added. He also mentioned that the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has will undertake parallel drain work near Central Silk Board. “Once the drainage project is completed, flooding issues at the junction will be resolved, easing traffic congestions in the city,” he added.