Bengaluru: The Meteorological Centre in Bengaluru has issued a warning stating that rains in the city might intensify over the next couple of days. In view of the weather prediction, 28 sites in the city have been put on red alert as they are highly prone to flooding. In addition, the Met has further identified 182 vulnerable points in the city as a precautionary measure.
In the event of heavy downpour, the BBMP has been asked to employ all measures to prevent low-lying areas from being inundated. The Urban Development Department has suggested that teams should be readily available at all times, especially when waterlogged underpasses require urgent pumping.
Speaking to Times of India, Chief Engineer BS Prahlad said, “The 28 locations may be flooded only if the city gets more than 200 mm rains. At 18 of these locations, water level sensors have been installed with the help of the KSNDMC and they will send alerts at four different levels. Sensors will be installed at another 10 locations in the next couple of days.”
Operating on solar power, the water sensors will issue colour-coded alerts with the green line representing normalcy and the black line indicating floods.
“Once the officials get the black line alert, residents will be contacted and asked to remove cars and bikes from their basements,” he added.
Bengaluru Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun assessed the rain-preparedness by holding review meetings with the city’s engineers.
The BBMP has set up 63 temporary control rooms across the city, each of which will house equipment used for clearing waterlogged areas, along with some emergency gear.
Additionally, 28 BBMP teams will focus on the clearing and quick transportation of trees damaged in the downpour. Fallen trees are one of the main causes of traffic jams in the city.
