GBA Chief reviews tragedy aftermath, intensifies citywide safety and emergency cleanup operations immediately
Bengaluru
A day after the tragic compound wall collapse near Bowring Hospital that claimed seven lives, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched a citywide emergency response, ordering intensified safety measures, debris clearance and preventive inspections across Bengaluru following heavy rainfall and hailstorms.
GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao chaired a high-level review meeting on Thursday to assess the situation and coordinate immediate action among civic agencies after the deadly incident shocked the city.
The wall collapse near Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital killed seven people, including four men, two women and a girl child. The victims were reportedly roadside vendors seated beside the compound wall when the structure suddenly collapsed during heavy rain on Wednesday evening.
Officials said three people sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Victoria Hospital, while three others with minor injuries are being treated at Bowring Hospital.
The state authorities have announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased. Officials also assured that all necessary medical treatment is being provided to the injured.
During the emergency review meeting, Maheshwar Rao instructed all municipal bodies functioning under the GBA jurisdiction to remain on high alert and immediately identify vulnerable structures, compound walls and rain-affected areas to prevent similar tragedies.
Strict directions were issued to clear all fallen trees, branches and debris across Bengaluru by Thursday morning with assistance from fire and emergency services personnel. Civic officials were also asked to identify designated dumping and storage locations for fallen trees and branches to streamline cleanup operations.
The meeting was attended by senior civic and administrative officials, including Special Commissioner Sushma Godbole, Municipal Commissioners Pommala Sunil Kumar, Dr KV Rajendra, DS Ramesh, KN Ramesh and Dr Harish Kumar. BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar, Additional Commissioners Daljit Kumar and Naveen Kumar, chief engineers and fire department officials also participated.
Heavy rain continued to impact several parts of Bengaluru on Wednesday. The city recorded an average rainfall of 60 mm, accompanied by hailstorms around 5 pm. Rainfall levels reportedly reached 77.6 mm in parts of the Central zone, including Cottonpet, Binnipet, Kempapura, Subhash Nagar, Jagajeevanram Nagar and the KR Market region.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as rain-related emergency operations continue across the city.