Karnataka CM announces ₹25,000 compensation for flooded homes, ₹5 lakh for those killed in Bengaluru rains

Responding to criticism of widespread damage in Bengaluru, he said the only solution to the rain and flooding problem in the city was to revamp the entire Storm Water Drain (SWD) infrastructure

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai visiting rain-affected areas in Bengaluru on May 18, 2022.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who holds charge of Bengaluru, announced that families living in each of the homes across the city that were flooded will be provided compensation of ₹25,000 and immediate arrangements for alternative places to stay, food and other basic facilities. He also announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for the two labourers killed while working on the Cauvery V Stage project pipeline at Ullal in the western part of Bengaluru. 

Video | Rain in Bengaluru was cool till it became dangerous

Responding to criticism of widespread damage in Bengaluru, he said the only solution to the rain and flooding problem in the city was to revamp the entire Storm Water Drain (SWD) infrastructure.

“We have already earmarked ₹1,600 crore for SWD works. I have instructed officers to ruthlessly clear all bottlenecks. Of the 800+ km of the drain network, earlier governments had revamped around 400 km, and we have taken up the remaining work. We have also simultaneously taken up work on secondary and tertiary drains in the city this year. The situation would be far better next year. However, many layouts and apartments have come up on lake beds and wetlands in Bengaluru, which have to be tackled differently. We are looking into that as well,” he said. 

Photos | Wet & cold summer in Bengaluru

Pre-monsoon clouds over Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on May 16, 2022.  This summer, Bengaluru has been receiving rain since April. As a result, average temperate has been below normal and the city has been relatively cool this summer.

Heavy rain led to inundation of Mysuru Road in the evening of May 17, 2022. 

Commuters and pedestrians put themselves at risk when they walk in flooded areas because of the possibility of falling in an open manhole or a drain.

You can gauge the depth of the water that had accumulated on Mysuru Road in Bengaluru on the evening of May 17, 2022.

You can never tell how many death traps are hidden under this water

People venture out in their personal vehicles.

The morning revealed the risks. A portion of the road, around Namma Metro pillar # 489 on Mysuru Road near Bangalore University junction, was washed away following heavy overnight rains, in Bengaluru on May 18, 2022. 

Two persons were washed away during heavy rains while working inside a huge pipe, which is part of Cauvery 5th Stage drinking water pipeline project of BWSSB, on the double road of Ullal Upanagar BDA Layout in the western part of Bengaluru, on May 18, 2022. 

A third person, who was working with the duo in the pipeline project at Ullala Upanagara, was lucky enough to escape their fate. But, how may people have to die or lose their homes and belongings before the Karnataka Government and the BBMP solve the problem of flooding during every spell of heavy rain in Bengaluru.

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