Bengaluru rains: BBMP’s lack of preparedness exposed as 50 trees crash in Yelahanka

Bengaluru: Sunday night's downpour has once again exposed the BBMP's apathy and inability to tackle emergencies. In Vidyaranyapura and Yelahanka, where 55 trees crashed following strong winds and heavy rain, the residents stayed up the entire night waiting for BBMP rescue teams to clear the fallen trees. As the resources were managed poorly, the BBMP teams carried out the works at a snail’s pace. The Palike claimed that it needs two more days to remove all the trees.

A BBMP worker from Yelahanka zone confirmed that they were ready on Sunday night, but had to wait for the equipment required to clear the trees, like the power saws, cranes and lorries, from other zones. Sunday’s rain also exposed the Palike’s lack of preparedness ahead of monsoon. As the city administration has failed remove old and weak trees across the city, Yelahanka saw over 50 trees crashing, and plunging the entire area plunged into darkness.

As the rain left the city battered, many areas struggled to return to normal. Areas in and around Yelahanka, which received the maximum rainfall, are still picking up the pieces. Though work continued till 3 am, the BBMP still could not clear all the trees. BBMP sources said that Yelahanka had to suffer as the zone does not have a night team to take up emergency works when there is a heavy rainfall.

“A night team consists of nine workers and equipment like a rope, electric saw and others to remove uprooted trees. But the Yelahanka zone does not have such a team and that led to the delay. We had to wait for vehicles to come from other zones. We worked till 3 am, but we still could not remove all the trees. Nearly 25 uprooted trees were still lying on the road on Monday morning. It will take at least two more days to clear all the trees and branches,” the source said.

Yelahanka zone Commissioner Sarfaraz Khan told Deccan Chronicle that he has requested BBMP Commissioner Kumar Naik to assign more workers to speed up the works. “We have been told that workers will be assigned for our zone after trees are removed in other areas. We will still clear all the trees in two days,” he said.

Traffic control room officials said that traffic was hampered in certain pockets of Yelahanka where fallen trees and branches had not been removed. “On Sunday night, traffic was thrown out for gear as cranes did not arrive on time and uprooted trees blocked interior and some main roads. Vehicles were stranded at Kogilu Cross, on Doddaballapur Road, in Maruthi Nagar and in Yelahanka New and Old Towns. Since the clearance works started late, the BBMP could not clear all the trees,” an official said.

Phone, net connections snapped

Heavy rain over the last few days has disrupted telephone and internet networks, especially that of Airtel and BSNL, across the city. Mr Maharnab Sarma of Tavarekere Main Road, said, “I have been facing problems with BSNL network. I have observed that calls get cut while talking. Many of my friends too are facing a similar problem.”

Ms Rashmi Josy of HSR Layout and an Airtel user, said, “Some times there is no network in my phone.” Not only the telephone lines, even broadband, DTH and wireless internet services have also been disrupted.

Mr Rajeev K., a resident of Bommanahalli, who uses Airtel Broadband, said, “Over the last few days, the connection has been very slow. It is frustrating as I have to complete my project.” The telecom companies, however, said that there is no disruption in their networks.