<p class="rtejustify">The weather office has predicted heavy rains for Bengaluru this month. Given the havoc in Kerala and parts of Karnataka this season, citizens are asking, ‘Is our city prepared?’</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The municipal authorities have set up control rooms in 63 sub-divisions and eight zonal offices to respond to rain emergencies, according to BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad. “We have identified 300 vulnerable water-logging points and done civil works,” he told Metrolife.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The traffic police say they are doing their bit. Anupam Agrawal, DCP (traffic division), says, “We have identified areas prone to water-logging and informed the BBMP.” Bengaluru police also ensure extra staff are deployed to clear fallen trees, he explains.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Urban experts like Ashwin Mahesh say the authorities should identify what causes water-logging and flooding. “Soak pits must be created in the drainage network to allow water to soak into the ground. Preventing transporting of water to low-lying areas will stop flooding,” he says. T V Ramachandra, associate faculty, CiSTUP, Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra), IISc, recommends re-establishing interconnectivity among lakes (which requires removal of all encroachments). He believes that would reduce the frequency of floods and consequent damage to life and property.</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>How much rain?</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">According to Dr G S Srinivasa, director Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, there is subdued activity for the next one week.<br /><br />“Heavy rains are expected across the state, including Bengaluru after September 15. Till then, we can expect light to moderate showers in the city,” Srinivasa told Metrolife.</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>How to prevent flooding</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">Remove all encroachments from lakes and maintain buffer zones.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Rejuvenate water bodies and maintain them regularly.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">De-silt lakes to enhance storage and recharge groundwater.<br />(As <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7KovJyIizM" target="_blank">recommended </a>by Prof T V Ramachandra of IISc)</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>Drive to fill potholes from today</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">BBMP Chief Engineer has been directed to fill potholes on major roads. Work will start on September 3 in all zones.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Contractors must ensure that not a single potholes found in any road. Severe action needs to be taken against the contractors and engineers if there is any lapse in this regard.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">For roads under maintenance with Python machines, a work order will be issued immediately. No time to float new tenders.</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>BBMP helpline</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">Call this number if you have rain-related queries: 080-22221188.</p>
<p class="rtejustify">The weather office has predicted heavy rains for Bengaluru this month. Given the havoc in Kerala and parts of Karnataka this season, citizens are asking, ‘Is our city prepared?’</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The municipal authorities have set up control rooms in 63 sub-divisions and eight zonal offices to respond to rain emergencies, according to BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad. “We have identified 300 vulnerable water-logging points and done civil works,” he told Metrolife.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">The traffic police say they are doing their bit. Anupam Agrawal, DCP (traffic division), says, “We have identified areas prone to water-logging and informed the BBMP.” Bengaluru police also ensure extra staff are deployed to clear fallen trees, he explains.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Urban experts like Ashwin Mahesh say the authorities should identify what causes water-logging and flooding. “Soak pits must be created in the drainage network to allow water to soak into the ground. Preventing transporting of water to low-lying areas will stop flooding,” he says. T V Ramachandra, associate faculty, CiSTUP, Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra), IISc, recommends re-establishing interconnectivity among lakes (which requires removal of all encroachments). He believes that would reduce the frequency of floods and consequent damage to life and property.</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>How much rain?</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">According to Dr G S Srinivasa, director Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, there is subdued activity for the next one week.<br /><br />“Heavy rains are expected across the state, including Bengaluru after September 15. Till then, we can expect light to moderate showers in the city,” Srinivasa told Metrolife.</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>How to prevent flooding</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">Remove all encroachments from lakes and maintain buffer zones.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Rejuvenate water bodies and maintain them regularly.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">De-silt lakes to enhance storage and recharge groundwater.<br />(As <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7KovJyIizM" target="_blank">recommended </a>by Prof T V Ramachandra of IISc)</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>Drive to fill potholes from today</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">BBMP Chief Engineer has been directed to fill potholes on major roads. Work will start on September 3 in all zones.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">Contractors must ensure that not a single potholes found in any road. Severe action needs to be taken against the contractors and engineers if there is any lapse in this regard.</p>.<p class="rtejustify">For roads under maintenance with Python machines, a work order will be issued immediately. No time to float new tenders.</p>.<h3 class="rtejustify"><strong>BBMP helpline</strong></h3>.<p class="rtejustify">Call this number if you have rain-related queries: 080-22221188.</p>