A young man using a makeshift boat to move across a waterlogged area after heavy rains in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: PTI

As moderate to heavy rainfall continued to batter several areas in Bengaluru city on Tuesday, residents in flooded layouts are struggling to return to normalcy despite the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) deploying flood response resources. 

The water level in Sri Sai Layout came down by just an inch, according to the residents working round the clock to clear the water along with teams of the civic body. “The water will drain out only if the flood water moves into Challakere lake at its own pace, and no pumps can drain out the water as the quantum is very high. At least 200 homes are affected by the flooding due to the rains,” said a resident.

A view from the BTM layout in Bengaluru after the rains on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
K. BHAGYA PRAKASH

Neelufar Ahmad, another resident of the layout, said, “Water level has reduced just by an inch, and pumps are rendered useless. Normalcy can return to the layout only after two weeks, provided rain halts. Most of the residents have been evacuated and moved to other places, and some are forced to live here to take stock of the situation.” Mr. Ahmad said that the BBMP has assured a permanent fix for the problem, adding that the BBMP has been providing food for the people in the area.

“However, the problem will persist unless the drain is widened, and this can be possible with the cooperation of the Railway Department. Instead, BBMP and Railways are engaging in blame games while people are suffering,” he added.

Waterlogging in the basement at Silk Board quarters at BTM layout after rains on Tuesday in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
K. BHAGYA PRAKASH

At Trinity Fortune Layout, Sandra Noel struggled to clean the house. She thanked the BBMP for the flood response actions that have helped in bringing down the water level.

However, Miss Noel has kept her fingers crossed as the overcast weather continues in Bengaluru. “In the morning hours on Tuesday, it rained moderately but did not cause major damage. The rain threw our life out of gear, and we are now assessing the damage. It will take weeks for us to return to normal life,” Ms. Noel said.

Rainbow Drive Layout narrowly escaped the onslaught of rainfall this time. A resident who did not wish to be named said that although water entered the layout, the water level did not rise. The Halanayakanahalli lake has not been filled yet and its a blessing for the residents. But the residents continue to live in fear, he said.

Waterlogging inside A.T. Central Silk Board building after the rain in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
K. BHAGYA PRAKASH

Water had nearly drained out at the S.T. Bed Layout in Koramangala, too, but residents were busy cleaning the debris left behind.