Bengaluru rains: Kendriya Vihar at Yelahanka flooded twice in two weeks, Doddabommasandra lake overflows

Bengaluru Weather Today: Heavy overnight rains in Bengaluru on October 22 led to flooding and inundation of several areas in north Bengaluru.

Heavy overnight rains in Bengaluru on Tuesday (October 22) led to flooding and inundation of several areas in north Bengaluru, specifically at Yelahanka and areas around Doddabommasandra lake.  

For the second time in two weeks, Kendriya Vihar apartments at Yelahanka was inundated. Amruth Kiran, a resident of the apartment, told The Hindu, “One more compound wall has collapsed, and there’s way more water this time. We have been told to evacuate and NDRF boats are here. There will be no drinking water or power for the next 24-48 hours.” 

The resident said that food packets were provided by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) during the flooding last week, but no such initiative was seen this time.

“The focus for now seems to be on evacuation. The boats have been doing the rounds since morning. A lot of people are being dropped at the main gate. However, no arrangements have been made for accommodation. Most residents are going to the houses of their relatives or friends. We do not have accurate information on what the next move will be,” said Mr. Kiran. 

On the other hand, overflowing water from the Doddabommasandra lake has led to inundation in areas and layouts around the lake, including Vidyaranyapura. Residents in Kuvempu Nagar ward and Basava Samithi Layout, both in Vidyaranyapura, complained of waterlogging up to four feet on the roads and inside their homes, all night and morning. 

Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda visited some of the rain-affected areas in the morning on October 22. “Due to a cloudburst, Doddabommasandra lake is overflowing after more than 17 years. Due to this, layouts in low-lying areas in and around Vidyaranyapura are flooded. I am trying to expedite BBMP relief work,” Mr. Byregowda said.

After inspecting the lake and its surroundings, Mr. Byregowda said, “Since heavy rains have lashed the area in a short period of time, the lake has overflowed. There are storm water drains (SWDs) around the lake, but if a lake overflows by one or two feet, it will fill the storm water drains and lead to overflowing on roads. The water levels of the lake and inundated roads have started depleting slowly, and will be cleared in the next 2-3 hours.”