Heavy rains lashed Bengaluru for two days leaving many people homeless Houses in low-lying areas are the worst affected The efforts of Mayor Padmavathi and minister George to console the aggrieved people went in vain
"Sewage water has entered into our house. We have not been able to sleep through the nights. There is no water to drink and to worsen our lives; there is no power for two days. Can you fathom what we are going through? Why did you come now," is how residents in low-lying areas where their houses have been flooded vent their anger on Mayor G Padmavathi. They did not mince words even for district in-charge minister KJ George who accompanied the Mayor.
The Mayor and minister were taking stock of the flooded areas after the rain lashed the city for almost two days. "Our children have not been able to go to school. The roads are flooded," the people poured their grievances.
The city recorded the highest rainfall in 24 hours leaving many areas under the deluge. In some areas, the residents were upset that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) failed to desilt the storm water drains. This resulted in water entering the houses and water clogged roads. "Why the Palike officials find time to repair storm water drains only during the monsoon season," questioned the residents. They urged the mayor to direct the officials to complete the pending drain projects, earlier, reports Kannada Prabha.
At this, Minister George said that the government has already undertaken drainage works in 200 km and Rs 800 crore has been spent on this. "We are desilting the storm water drains to prevent clogging of drains during monsoon," George said. But the residents were in no mood to buy his argument and criticised him for a failure.
The residents in Koramangala and Bommanahalli were fuming when the minister visited their areas. The majority of these areas are flooded, and in some areas, residents had to be rescued in boats. Mayor Padmavathi and minister George efforts to console the areas went in vain.
Mayor Padmavathi spent the day in control room attending to the problems and directing the officials to affected areas.
