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Heavy rain is no pain for Bangalore's babus |
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By: Bindiya Carmeline Thomas |
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Date:
2010-07-23 |
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Place: Bangalore |
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Traffic Department, BBMP and metro rail officials say they are prepared for the very heavy rainfall that the Meteorological Department expects to hit the city.
According to the Meteorological Department, Bangalore will receive heavier rainfall this season compared to last year.
While the department also predicts nearly uninterrupted showers till October 15, public bodies are not too worried about the city being able to handle the rains.
Puttana, the director of the Metrological Department, said the rainfall has exceeded expectations. "A low-pressure area is building up over the Bay of Bengal and another such area is forming over the Arabian Sea. The combined influence of these two systems will cause heavier downpours."
Puttana added, "The rainfall will at least be 75 per cent heavier this time compared to last year. The temperatures are bound to drop. In fact, it is going to rain very heavily in the next three days."
Mohan MG, a safety expert with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), said that heavy rainfall would not come in the way of the ongoing work on the metro.
He said, "We have adopted certain measures to protect the city against water-logging and we have a good drainage system in place. We have taken special care at sites that call for deep excavation."
He added, "We have 10,000 to 12,000 workers. We have appointed medical officers to ensure our employees are attended to in case of an emergency," said Mohan.
Dr Khandre, the public relations officer for the BBMP, said, the civic body has learnt its lessons from the last monsoon season.
"There were problems last year that have been attended to. We are prepared this year. We have made changes to low lying areas to ensure there is no flooding."
Khandre added, "We have a 24x7 helpline and have made arrangements so help is provided as soon as possible. We will seek the Fire Department's help if we fall short of hands."
Acting Additional Commissioner for Traffic and Security BA Muttana admitted that his department did not have a contingency plan in place.
"If there is a rain-related problem, we will just remove the obstacle immediately," Muttana explained.
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