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The heavy rains in Bengaluru over the past three days have not only brought waterlogging and inundation of areas but are now threatening the health of people as garbage has begun piling up.
TNM visited waterlogged areas of JD Mara, Bilekahalli, and Bannerghatta road on Tuesday, May 20, and found that water flow has been completely impeded by accumulated garbage, not allowing the water to be drained. This, in turn, has contributed to more traffic jams.
In JD Mara, a stretch of area near Vega City that’s home to slum areas and crowded local markets, the smell of unattended garbage hits long before you reach the site. Piles of garbage lay next to homes constructed with metal sheets. The rain had forced most of the garbage into homes. Residents could be found clearing their homes of the water, as no help had arrived for them.
Garbage has been dumped on every side of the street, ranging from bricks and construction waste to spoilt fruits and vegetables. This is not the first time the area has been inundated like this.
Sarojamma, a domestic worker and resident, said, “It’s the same story every year. It rains, and then the drains get clogged due to garbage that is left in the corners, and dirty water enters our homes. We are removing flood water all night without a break. Nobody comes; nobody listens to us.”
The slum area is located next to the Vega City mall and is barely a kilometre from residential high-rises. “But somehow, our slum is a blind spot,” said Latha, who is terrified that her three children might fall sick again. Every time it rains, her family has to contend with mosquitoes, and her children inevitably fall sick with infections and skin rashes.
“We have lived beside garbage for years, and BBMP has done absolutely nothing about it,” she said.
Meanwhile, roads in several stretches of Bannerghatta road and Devarachikkanahalli have turned into small rivers. Garbage still clogs all the storm drains and water gutters, keeping the water on the roads. Vehicles traversing the routes here have been struggling as pavements are also submerged, and it is difficult to make out how deep the water stands.
On Bannerghatta road, a small stretch houses both Apollo and Fortis Hospitals. The entrances to both hospitals are inundated with water.
“Last night, the water was at a higher level, making it difficult for vehicles to move. I had to stand here and guide ambulances through the street,” said Suresh, a security guard at Fortis Hospital.
On the waterlogged, busy road, a red barricade was dumped in front of Fortis Hospital on the morning of May 20 by the traffic police. Since the water levels were high, no one could figure out what the barricade was for. But vehicles kept moving, some venturing quite close to the barricade as well.
“What is the point of barricades when there is no one from the civic agency to help drain out the water? There are two hospitals on the street, and it is quite important to ensure the roads are clear in this situation for any emergency. Most of the ambulances are now stuck in traffic jams or finding other routes due to waterlogging,” he complained.
On the other side of the road, the BBMP had been engaged with roadworks for weeks. Suresh said, “But now, when we need their help the most, not a single person is to be seen.”