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Over 150 areas in Bangalore prone to flooding during rains

Koramangala, Jayamahal, Domlur and Mahalakshmi layout, Bhuvaneshwari Nagar, Maruthi Nagar, Bapuji Nagar are in danger zone

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The monsoon has set in, bringing with it the fear of floods in the low-lying areas of Bangalore. With several layouts formed over erstwhile lake beds, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has drawn up a list of areas prone to flooding during rains, to take appropriate measures in time, and also caution residents of those localities.

“We have identified more than 150 points across the city that are vulnerable to flooding. We are installing caution boards here and are constructing bunds to stop rain water from flooding houses. We are also advising residents on precautionary measures that they need to take during heavy rains,” said BBMP mayor SK Nataraj.

BBMP officials said that the drive has been taken seriously as many of the listed areas have, in the past, been affected badly and also threatened the lives of residents there. “We have identified vulnerable areas in each zone, including zones under Greater Bangalore like Byatarayanapura, Bommanahalli, Dasarahalli, Mahadevapura and Rajarajeshwarinagar,” an official said.

However, the officials added that a major thrust was give to core zones like the east, west and south of Bangalore, which were most prone to flooding. “Areas like Koramangala, Austin Town, Domlur, and Jayamahal in the east zone; Rajkumar Road, RMV Layout, and Mahalakshmi Layout under west Zone; and, Bhuvaneshwari Nagar, Maruthi Nagar, Bapuji Nagar, and Tavarekere in the south zone are some major areas that are prone to flooding,” said a senior Palike official. The east zone was found to be the most vulnerable with 108 points, while the west zone had
31 sensitive areas and the south zone had 43, officials said.

“Drains will be desilted regularly and mayor has directed the local corporators to monitor these works,” said an official in the mayor’s office.

A senior official of BBMP east zone said that the Palike was also collecting the contact details of citizens in low lying areas to act as volunteers during times of monsoon crises.

Another official from the west zone control room said that the number of rain squads in low lying areas was being increased.
Civic experts said that while Bangalore had about 280 lakes in 1960, the city’s growth left only 64 lakes breathing now. “Width of storm water drains has also been reduced, which is the prime reason for flooding during the monsoon season. Garbage dumped in these drains adds to the flooding,” said Naresh KS, member of the NGO, CIVIC. He added that monsoon floods could be controlled on a long term basis only if the drains were cleared of encroachments and garbage, and lake beds were desilted.

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