Downpour dulls Diwali glow for HSR, BTM layout residents

BENGALURU: Heavy rain across the city on Sunday evening dampened Diwali festivities, especially in the southern areas such as HSR Layout Sector 3, BTM Layout and JP Nagar.
The evening downpour sent rainwater gushing into some 60 houses in HSR Layout. Residents, who were preparing to light lamps and burst crackers, spent the night draining out water from their premises.
However, no casualty was reported.
“BBMP is rejuvenating the Somasundara Palya Lake and the rainwater that flows into it is now flooding our streets and homes,” rued Chandrashekar HE, chairperson of HSR Federation. The drains in the locality are narrow and small, preventing easy flow of water, he added.
“The civic body leaves every project it takes up unfinished, affecting citizens,” said BN Reddy, a resident of HSR Layout. Drainage works, if completed, could have led 80% of the surface runoff water into the lake, he added.
The scene was no different at BTM Layout. “Even 15 minutes of rain is enough to disrupt lives in this area,” said Naveen Reddy, a resident of the locality.
Ramakrishna V, another resident of BTM Layout, said the surface runoff water from Bannerghatta Road flows into BTM Layout, 29th Main Road, making the stretch look like a canal. “BBMP officials keep visiting us and making false promises,” he added.
Senior civic officials who visited the spot said it’s unfortunate that people could not celebrate the festival due to rain havoc. “We have deployed officials to ensure water is quickly drained out,” added a senior official.
BBMP commissioner BH Anil Kumar said waterlogging across the city was cleared in an hour. “HSR Sectors 3 and 6 got affected as these areas are like a bowl and surrounded by two lakes, Agara and Madiwala. As there is no proper stormwater drain system in this layout, rain water flows on to the roads,” he explained.
“The state government has sanctioned Rs 150 crore to undertake remodelling of storm water drains in Bommanhalli zone and if all goes well, work orders will be issued by November 15,” he added.
According to BBMP sources, areas that bore the brunt of Sunday rain are: HSR Layout Sectors 3 and 6, Garden Layout, Garepalya Main Road, Hongasandra, Kodichikkanahalli Vakil Marina Layout, Anugraha Layout, Bilekahalli, AMCO Layout and areas around Lumbini Garden.