Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 25,000 for every family affected by flooding caused due to torrential rains in several parts of the city.
The Chief Minister also assured a permanent solution to ensure that such incidents don't repeat as he announced that all encroachments along the stormwater drains in the city will be cleared mercilessly.
CM Yadiyurappa visited Hoskarehalli area, which was heavily damaged by heavy rain yesterday. At this time he faced the outrage of the locals.
Bangalore's western and southern parts were inundated by the heavy rains. Ahead of his visit to affected areas, Yediyurappa chaired a meeting with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Administrator Gaurav Gupta, its Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad and other senior officials, along with Revenue Minister R Ashoka, who is also MLA from the city, and took stock of the situation.
"I have asked BBMP (civic body) officials to work honestly so that not even a rupee is misused. According to me, there are about 650-700 houses that might have been affected," he added.
However, the locals have expressed their outrage due to the difficulties faced by them during the heavy rainfall. People shouted slogans against the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister R. Ashok and demanded a permanent solution to this problem.
They shouted 'Yeddyurappa, Ashok down down'. The locals showed their annoyance by crossing over to the CM’s car. “Give us a permanent solution. We don’t want compensation money. Visiting us is not enough”, the locals said.
The CM got down from his convoy and addressed the grievances of the locals. Yediyurappa also suggested the construction of barriers in the Dattatreya city. The CM also suggested the authorities to deliver the relief money door-to-door.
"To all those who have faced destruction to their food grains, clothes and other things because of water entering houses due to flooding and rain, we have decided to give a compensation of Rs 25,000 per family through cheque... we are taking all the precautionary measures if there are rains today or in coming days," Yediyurappa said.
READ: Rains to continue for three more days in Karnataka
Speaking to reporters after visiting affected Hosakerehalli and nearby areas, he said from this evening itself cheque will be distributed to every affected house.
The CM, who is also the in-charge of Bengaluru city-related affairs, instructed the city civic body to stay alert as the Met department predicting heavy rains for two more days. Noting he has also given instructions to take permanent solution measures to avoid such incidents from repeating, Yediyurappa said we came up with a plan to clear encroachments and improve the condition of stormwater drains, but as the work was on, this has happened.
"We will see to that there are no encroachments here on and take measures so that such incidents don't repeat. I'm assuring a permanent solution... all encroachments of stormwater drains will be cleared mercilessly, we will start the work in two to three days," he added.
After rains lashed the city last evening, several areas, especially south Bengaluru region had faced the brunt as stormwater drains overflowed, roads turned into rivulets and many houses were inundated.
While there was water logging in many parts of the city, areas such as Hosakerehalli, Nayandahalli, Basavanagudi, Bommanahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagar and surrounding places were affected as several roads and houses in these areas were submerged underwater. Gurudatta Layout and Dattatreya Nagar, near Hosakerehalli, some areas near Rajarajeshwari Nagar were the worst affected as many houses in the locality were flooded.
READ: Karnataka CM alerts BBMP officials on heavy rains forecast
Gushing waters even swept away some vehicles in the locality. According to officials, several wards recorded more than 100 mm rainfall yesterday. With no rains this morning and water receding in the flooded areas, civic workers are carrying out the cleaning activities.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka, who visited the affected areas earlier in the day had assured that he will speak to the Chief Minister regarding providing relief to those affected, and directed officials to carry out the survey work.
"Last night itself NDRF team was called in, who rescued three people.. water and food arrangements have been made for those in need," he said, adding that as the work on a large stormwater drain related to Bengaluru South region is underway, it resulted in flooding.
With PTI inputs
