MLA Vasu, DC Randeep visit rain-affected areas in city

Mysuru: A day after unprecedented rain in and around Mysuru resulted in parts of the city getting flooded, forcing people in low-lying areas to scamper to safety, a team of officials led by MLA Vasu and Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman D. Dhruvakumar visited the affected areas yesterday.

The rain that began around 6 pm on Tuesday continued till 6.30 am yesterday and there was intermittent rain in the afternoon and night. The city received 130 mm rainfall, the highest for a 24-hour period in recent years, according to authorities.

The team of elected representatives and officials visited Paduvarahalli, Manjunathapura and Kuduremala where MLA Vasu asked the officials to drain out the water from the basement and parking lots. He also directed them to empty the   clogged drains.

Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Executive Engineer Nagaraju, Zonal Commissioner Priyadarshini, MUDA Superintending Engineer Shivashankar and Executive Engineer Raju and others were present.

MUDA Chairman Dhruvakumar along with Commissioner P.S. Kantharaju visited the Bogadi Lake that was breached due to heavy rains.

PLEA TO RELEASE MONEY

Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda has appealed to Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to release a grant of Rs. 100 crore to provide relief to flood-affected areas. He said that the unprecedented rain has wreaked  havoc in several low-lying areas and had also resulted in breaching of lakes.

“The drainage system and storm water drain system have to be revamped for the water to flow instead of clogging and overflowing. This requires the urgent attention of the Government as many poor and economically weaker section of the society have lost their houses,” the MLA said. He added that many residents had encroached ‘Raja Kaluves’ that have to be cleared to make way for rainwater to pass.

It may be recalled here that participating in the Dasara inauguration programme atop Chamundi Hill on Sept. 21, G.T. Devegowda had appealed to the CM to release Rs. 100 crore special grants to Chamundeshwari constituency.

DC orders survey of Raja Kaluves

After overnight rains led to flooding in many low-lying areas in the city, the Mysuru District Administration yesterday ordered a survey for identifying encroachments and diversion of ‘Raja Kaluves’ or storm-water drains, said to be one of the main reasons for the inundation.

Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, who inspected the rain havoc during his visit to the affected areas along with a team of officials and elected representatives, said that he had asked the Tahsildar of Mysuru to carry out a survey and submit a report to him by October 10.

“Unless the encroachments, if any, on ‘Raja Kaluves’ are addressed, a permanent solution to flooding cannot be found. A long-term solution is possible  only if these issues are addressed,” he said.

After a directive from District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa to officials to visit the flood-affected areas and take things to control, DC and other officials visited Vinayakanagar, Bogadi, Anandanagar, Arvindanagar, Srirampura, Kanakagiri   and Yelethota.

The survey by Tahsildar will be carried out jointly with the Revenue Department, MCC and MUDA along with police security.

Describing the rain havoc as severe, the DC said some lakes and canals had breached, adding to the flooding in low-lying areas. He said the floodwaters receded by evening.

He said compensation would be given to the owners of properties damaged by the rain, as per the guidelines. People living in houses with weak walls had been told to move to safer places, he added.

Randeep said stalls at the exhibition grounds suffered huge losses. “We are yet to ascertain the losses at the Food Mela and flower show venues. Heavy rain has been predicted for the next three days too. The Administration will take measures to handle the situation,” the Deputy Commissioner added.