HSR Layout’s low-lying areas in Sector 2 and 3 were flooded due to last night’s heavy rains. All the food delivery services stopped accepting orders after 8pm due to the rains, affecting several residents who were dependent on outside food. Stepping out was particularly a problem for the residents in certain areas of Sector 2 and 3 as water was knee-deep. What’s worse was that the rainwater entered the homes of many in Sector 3 due to this unplanned development by the BBMP that has not desilted the drains for over a decade. The BBMP officials are only raising the heights of drains, but not desilting, which is an object lack of foresight.
Civic officials and MLA did rush to the place last night to ascertain the situation, and again this morning. The desilting work is to begin immediately in Sector 2 and 3. The water from the Somasundrapalya Lake in Sector 2 will no longer be diverted to Sector 2 and 3, as the lake is rejuvenated now, and the water will stay within the water body, avoiding the flooding issues caused last night.
The residents do not believe in these adhoc measures and false promises. Says Bala Padur: “BBMP started the stormwater drain cleaning work yesterday near Gandhi statue on HSR Club road yesterday. Today, nobody came and no work. If it rains, the same sewage problem will persist.”
The residents have a reason to be upset with the officials and elected representatives as repeated complaints have not resulted in a permanent solution to the flooding problem in low-lying areas of Sector 3. “Is BBMP getting our sumps cleaned as we can’t spend Rs 5000 a month everytime it rains,” says Hitu. Or do we stop paying property tax… no lights, no roads, no water, flooding inside houses…. or do we shift to higher areas like ITI Layout, Hosapalya and Somasundrapalya?”
When water entered some houses in Sector 3, elderly citizens were seen trying to remove the water. Says Prahalada TN: “Whenever we ask for help, the BBMP engineers says they have no money. People in power indulge in blame war and citizens suffer. Everybody visits, pays lip sympathy, and gives empty assurances… this is happening for the last ten years! But the situation is aggravating with every rain. It is hell near 17th A Main, 17th B Main and surrounding areas. Until the BBMP clears silt from the drains, the problem will not be resolved. On 15th Main that leads to Mangammanapalya, even a shower of five minutes leads to collection of drainage water on the road.”
‘REVERSE THE WATER FLOW’
Sector 3 resident Ritanshi says 17th A Main was flooded last night within 10 minutes: “Desilting is not going to solve the problem,” she says. “We have to change the direction of the flowing water. Five feet water has entered into the lane and houses. If it rains all night, is the BBMP going to bear the loss of life and property?” Similarly, 17th Main, 22nd A Cross, 18th Main, 18th C Main, 23rd Cross, 16th A Main, and 22nd Cross were all flooded as well. “Water is flowing like a river on 23rd Cross, 16th A Main and entering our houses,” said Aruna. “Repeatedly, we are telling the BWSSB to clean the manholes, but no action. All the manholes are overflowing. Dirty sewage water is entering the sump. We can’t sleep in this situation.”
Desilting and diversion of lake water from Somasundrapalya are the main reasons. Says GN Gopala Mayya: “Most of the shoulder drains (service road of 19th Main) to main drain below the high tension lines are choked or blocked by slum dwellers. A simple maintenance of shoulder drains will go a long way in avoiding flooding of service road.”
