Bengaluru

In the aftermath of the recent rain fury in Bengaluru, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has directed officials to urgently identify and remove dilapidated buildings, weak compound walls and other structures that pose a danger to public safety.

The directive was issued by GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao following instructions from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D. K. Shivakumar after heavy rain, strong winds and hailstorm caused widespread damage across the city earlier this week.

The move comes after a tragic wall collapse at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital claimed seven lives, including that of a child, during Wednesday evening’s storm.

In a statement, the GBA described the incident as deeply unfortunate and noted that the extreme weather had caused extensive damage to public and private property besides disrupting normal movement in several parts of the city.

Authorities also expressed concern over the continued threat from uprooted trees, hanging branches, weakened walls and structurally unsafe buildings in multiple localities.

To prevent further accidents, officials have been instructed to carry out immediate inspections and take precautionary action wherever hazards are detected. Commissioners and additional commissioners of all five city corporations have been asked to personally supervise the exercise.

Special task teams comprising personnel from the fire and emergency services, police, and civic bodies have also been formed to undertake emergency operations and ensure public safety, especially with forecasts of more heavy rain.

As part of the ongoing action, a dangerously weakened wall on Binnymill Road in central Bengaluru was identified after nearly 60 metres of the structure had already collapsed due to the rain. Civic teams have demolished a major portion of the wall and further removal work is in progress.

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Similarly, in the Mysore Lamps premises in Malleswaram, a structurally unsafe 240-metre compound wall was identified and demolished with necessary safety arrangements, officials said.