Monsoon has come to Bengaluru, but so have a new set of problems

Problems follow a certain pattern and suggest precautions that can be taken
Monsoon has come to Bengaluru, but so have a new set of problems
Monsoon has come to Bengaluru, but so have a new set of problems

As summer gives way to the rains, most Bengalureans would heave a sigh of relief. But the initial happiness about the respite from the heat has quickly been replaced by a groan of despair thanks to the BBMP’s ineptitude in preparing for the monsoons.

Since the rains started, some of Bengaluru’s infrastructure has gone haywire while other elements have caused residents a lot of trouble.

Experts and civic officials say that these problems follow a certain pattern and suggest precautions that can be taken .

Falling trees and branches  

On Monday, a four-year-old boy and a man died in separate incidents when a tree fell on them after heavy rains lashed the city. In fact, one of the crashes happened in Malleshwaram which is considered to be a developed area in Bengaluru. 

His death was so unexpected that, he was seen smiling at his mother minutes before the tree crashed on him.

The Bengaluru traffic police tweeted on Tuesday that there was block in Electronic City area as they had to clear tree branches from the road. One tree was also found uprooted in Koramangala II block on Monday morning, holding up traffic.

An official in the BBMP tree cell complaints control room said, "In June we have one complaint a day. But there are fewer complaints from the North zone. A day after heavy rains, complaints start pouring in."

Deputy forest officer (South) Puttanaswamy Gowda said, "Sometimes the roots of the trees become weak, or they just become old. We request residents to inform us when they notice a tilting tree and not wait until it falls completely."

Snakes in the house 

"If someone calls them uninvited monsoon guests, then they are wrong," says Sumanth Madhav, who has been a snake rescuer for over 14 years. He says living in an unhygienic environment is almost an automatic invitation to snakes.  

Sumanth, who is also a wildlife consultant with Humane Society India, has been conducting awareness drives for Bengaluru residents. 

"Snakes generally live in rat burrows. During rains they fill up with water and forcing the snakes to come out to find other shelter. Garbage piles are their (snakes) favourite as rats are found there. Bengaluru is known for huge garbage pile-ups so this shouldn't be surprising at all," Sumanth said.

He says they also like to hide is behind pots, which are cool and shady areas. In several instances, gardeners and watchmen are bitten.

“But most often people forget that snakes are generally harmless,” he said, adding, almost as a matter fact: "Before getting the snake out of the house, I take the complainant out for a stroll and tell them why there is a good chance that they might find another snake in their house tomorrow."

Sumanth says that in a day snake catchers across Bengaluru get about 20 to 25 cases all put together.  

"One other mistake people have been doing is relocation of snakes. This will only kill the snake. They should be left outside- basically people should just learn to tolerate snakes," he said. 

Health issues

Last week a Bengaluru woman started a petition urging the BBMP to wake up and hear the buzz of mosquitos.  

Residents in some parts of Bengaluru swear that they there is something of a dengue epidemic in their localities. 

Dr. Naveen, project co-ordinator of vector-borne diseases said that since Bengaluru has been receiving intermittent rains, stagnant water becomes a good place for breeding. 

“Every year we conduct an awareness drive, telling residents to not let water stagnate near their house and what preventive measures one can take.” 

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