Sleepless nights, basements underwater: Bengaluru residents fight unyielding floods

Bengaluru: After heavy rains on Tuesday left a path of destruction across Bengaluru, residents spent Wednesday scrambling to clear floodwaters from their homes and retrieve vehicles from submerged basements.

With schools closed and many tech companies operating remotely, traffic on the roads was lighter. However, those needing transportation faced difficulties due to a shortage of cabs.

Struggles at apt complex

In Yelahanka’s Kendriya Vihar apartment complex, residents faced additional hardships with no electricity, flooded basements and limited mobility. The BBMP deployed two tractors to assist residents, including families and senior citizens, in leaving the premises.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath visited the site, stating, “We are constructing a temporary drain on private land to improve water drainage and have set up a helpdesk to provide essentials like drinking water, milk, bread, and biscuits.”

The complex, primarily occupied by central government employees and retirees, is home to a relative of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, according to resident R Bharathadri. At least 40% of residents have temporarily relocated to stay with friends or family.

Due to power outages, lift services have halted, prompting volunteers to deliver basic supplies to senior residents on higher floors. Only a few common areas have power, allowing limited device charging.

Tractors ferry residents in and out of Kendriya Vihar Apartment near Kogilu Cross in Yelahanka.

Crores spent on flood prevention

Many residents’ welfare associations, such as those in Rainbow Drive on Sarjapura Road, have invested heavily in flood prevention.

KP Singh, a resident and former techie, said: “We have spent nearly Rs 2.5 crore on improving our drainage systems, raising road heights, and deepening stormwater drains. This has reduced flooding significantly in our colony.”

In Panathur, resident Umamahesh Pendyala highlighted a similar effort, stating: “It took four years to get authorities to build a culvert near Deccan Apartments, but flooding remains a recurring issue due to insufficient de-silting of drains.”

Some areas fare better

Some residents in Mahadevapura reported fewer problems due to proactive local efforts.

Former BBMP Council Member Clement C Jayakumar noted, “Our task force works closely with officials, and residents actively participate in ward groups. Unlike the extensive flooding in September 2022, only two roads were submerged this time.”

Members of Doddanekundi Rising echoed these sentiments, crediting local drainage improvements for reduced flooding.