Week after heavy rains, tree clearance and drain work remain incomplete
BENGALURU
Days after heavy rains battered Bengaluru on April 29, civic authorities are still grappling with the aftermath, as fallen trees, clogged drains and waterlogging continue to trouble residents across several areas.
Despite daily reviews and deployment of staff by officials under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, clearance operations remain incomplete. While major roads have been partially cleared, debris continues to lie along footpaths and inner streets, posing risks to commuters.
In central areas such as Okalipur railway underpass, sewage continues to flow onto roads, highlighting the slow pace of desilting works. Around KR Circle, drain-cleaning operations are ongoing, but residents fear the same flooding issues could recur with another spell of rain.
Authorities reported that a total of 516 trees and 1,305 branches fell during the storm, triggered by intense rainfall and hailstorms. Of these, 507 trees and 1,256 branches have been cleared so far. However, nine locations still have fallen trees yet to be removed, along with 49 branches awaiting clearance.
Areas including Crescent Road, Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar, RR Nagar, Vijayanagar, Yeshwantpur and Peenya have seen partial restoration. Though trees have been cut and moved off roads, complete removal from sites is still pending in many places.
Civic teams, along with fire and emergency services and private contractors, have been working continuously. Yet, the scale of damage and logistical challenges have slowed progress.
Adding to the concern, light rain on Tuesday evening disrupted traffic in key areas such as Kempegowda Bus Stand, RT Nagar, Indiranagar and KR Puram. Though the showers were not intense, they caused inconvenience to office-goers and raised fresh fears among residents still recovering from last week’s storm.
With the monsoon approaching, citizens are urging authorities to speed up restoration work and strengthen infrastructure to prevent repeated disruptions.
The lingering debris and incomplete drain clearance underline the city’s vulnerability, even days after the rains have subsided.