DK Shivakumar orders slew of flood relief measures amid heavy rain in Bengaluru

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a slew of measures for flood relief in Bengaluru including removal of encroachments near the Rajakaluve storm water drain after heavy rain pounded the city.
He also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of two children who drowned in Kengeri lake. Rs 10,000 compensation has been announced for owners of homes which are flooded. The Minister also said that temporary housing and food arrangements will be made for those who are displaced.
Bengaluru has experienced unprecedented rainfall over the past week, breaking records for the last three decades. Rainfall ranging from 92mm to 157mm has caused severe flooding, affecting multiple tech parks and IT companies.
“We have instructed the officials to clear Rajakaluve encroachments across the city without any mercy. We have also started desilting of drains for smooth flow of water with a loan of Rs 1,000 crore from the World Bank”, Shivakumar said on Wednesday.
He said that though private players have involved the court to prevent removal of encroachments, the government would still do its work, asserting that saving the lives of the citizens is paramount.
“Private individuals have got stay from the court to prevent action against the encroachment of Rajakaluve, and they are not letting the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) take action. Emergency situations allow us to clear encroachments. I have ordered the officials concerned to ensure all Rajakaluve encroachments are cleared without any delay. At times like these, our priority is to save the lives of citizens, and we will not let court cases come in the way”, he said.
Shivakumar paid a visit to the Kendriya Vihar Apartments in Yelahanka, Mariyannapalya, Sri Sai layout in Horamavu accompanied by the officials of the BBMP. He had a discussion with the Apartment Owners’ Association on the situation. He also held discussions with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel involved in flood relief works in these areas.
Speaking to reporters during the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda is working on desilting of drains in the city. We have also taken up delisting of many lakes under various schemes. We will call for a meeting shortly of the Lake Management Committee”.
The senior Congress leader further informed that the BBMP has taken control of around 600 residential units in Kendriya Vihar Apartment complex in Yelahanka and that about 95 per cent of the residents have agreed to move out temporarily. However, about 20 families are not ready to vacate, he said.
“Many of the elderly refuse to move out as they are emotional about their home. We will provide them with temporary accommodation for a week. I urge all the residents to avail of the temporary housing”, he added.
Asked about the long-term solution for the apartment, the Bengaluru Development Minister said, “Yelahanka has received the highest rain in the last 115–120 years. No one anticipated so much rain. We are identifying places where water flows out. We are looking at a permanent solution. Bengaluru is no exception. Mumbai and France have also experienced floods recently. We are working on a solution for this in Bengaluru”.
In Bengaluru, incessant rainfall forced the closure of schools for a day on Wednesday. The heavy downpour in the city caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, prompting the local administration to act swiftly.