DKS to BBMP: Shift 27 families staying back in flood-hit Kendriya Vihar

Bengaluru: Twenty-seven families have refused to move out of the flood-hit Kendriya Vihar Apartments in Yelahanka. On Tuesday, BBMP ordered that all occupants of 604 flats in eight blocks of the apartment complex move out as more flooding was expected in view of heavy rain forecast over the coming week.
However, the occupants of 27 flats said they prefer to stay, prompting deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to direct the BBMP officials to evacuate the remaining families from the apartment to avoid any untoward incidents.
A resident told TOI that the BBMP started announcing evacuation of the building from Tuesday noon. Most of them agreed to it and went to their friends’ or relatives’ houses, while a few chose to stay in hotels until BBMP allowed them to return to their flats. “My mother is 70 years old and sick. Evacuating our flat will be an inconvenience for us, and hence, we prefer to stay here,” said a resident.
Shivakumar, who visited the apartment on Wednesday, directed the officials to shift the remaining families. “There is no electricity, and hence, they can’t charge their mobile phones. We don’t know what arrangements they have for food, drinking water, and other necessities. Their safety is our priority. So, I have asked BBMP officials to shift them,” he said.
BBMP’s Yelahanka zonal commissioner Karee Gowda told TOI that many residents cooperated with the BBMP in evacuating the residents. “We will convince the rest and evacuate them soon,” he added.
Will clean lakes to avoid flooding: DKS
The deputy CM visited some other flood-affected areas, including Mariyannapalya in Byatarayanapura and Sri Sai Layout in Horamavu, KR Puram, after he inspected the Kendriya Vihar apartment. Shivakumar told the media that the govt will hold a meeting with the lake management committee soon to clean lakes and remove silt from the waterbodies to avoid flooding.
He said the govt will intensify the encroachment clearance drive. In many places, private parties obtained court injunctions to prevent the removal of encroachments on stormwater drains. During emergencies, there is no room for such obstacles. The law permits the removal of encroachments for the safety of the public, he added.