Heavy rain exposes chinks in corporation’s work again

Recurring artificial flooding in the city mocks at the administration’s claims of having learnt lessons from past incidents

The much-awaited rain, when it arrived in loads on Wednesday night, only exposed chinks in the works taken up by the Mangaluru City Corporation — incomplete drainage works, silt-filled drainages, incomplete road works — and many more.

Consequently, many arterial as well as interior roads in the city were inundated with artificial flood waters since morning thereby affecting the routine of citizens.

Recurrence of artificial floods on K.S. Rao Road between Hampanakatte and City Centre Mall only showed that the corporation has done nothing for the smooth drainage of rainwater.

While Mangaluru received about 110 mm rainfall during the 24-hours ended at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Mangaluru taluk, as a whole, received about 80 mm rain during the period. The neighbouring Udupi city received the highest rainfall of the period — 170 mm, as per India Meteorological Department.

Another artificial flood-prone area — Jyothi (Ambedkar) Circle and Balmatta Road, too witnessed flooding on Thursday forcing people to wade through knee-deep water. Incomplete shoulder-drain works on Jyothi-Bunts Hostel Circle Road ensured that the stretch turned into an artificial river.

Areas around State Bank Fish Market were not free from flashfloods either, again due to the incomplete drainage works.

The newly laid concrete road in front of Jeppu Seminary in Valencia too witnessed water logging thereby causing traffic grid locks.

As if the corporation’s contributions were not enough, the National Highways Authority of India too contributed its bit during the heavy rain. Soil dumped for the construction of service roads and the flyover embankment near Pumpwell washed away and flooded basements of nearby apartment complexes.

The ever-ongoing work on the Pumpwell flyover caused artificial flooding at the crucial junction affecting vehicular movement.

Lessons learnt?

Meanwhile, a press release here said that the administration, having learnt lessons from the deluge last year, was able to address problems across the city as and when they occurred. Having cleared silt in major storm-water drain around Kottara Chowki during the summer, the area did not witness floods, the administration said.

It said that artificial flooding reported from Kodialbail, Dongarkeri, Kotemura-Kulashekara, Kannur, Pumpwell and Padil were addressed immediately.

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