Bengaluru: BBMP to install 400+ CCTVs over rajakaluves for flood monitoring

Bengaluru: To tackle monsoon floods, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken several measures, including installing over 400 cameras in the city’s main stormwater drains (rajakaluve).

Recently, water overflowed in the Mysore Road drain. Cameras in the canals alerted BBMP’s Integrated Command and Control Center through a live feed. The rescue team responded quickly and controlled the flash flood.

Encouraged by this success, BBMP plans to install more than 455 additional cameras with help from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). These cameras will provide live footage to warn rescue teams about possible floods, enabling quick action.

To monitor water levels, 124 sensors have been placed at various points of the rajakaluves. These solar-powered sensors send daily information to the KSNDMC control room, which then shares it with BBMP’s Integrated Command and Control Center.

The water level is marked with colours: green and blue indicate safety, red signals danger, and black warns of a flood. This information helps inform residents to evacuate if necessary, reducing the risk of flood-related disasters.

BBMP officials have set up 24/7 surveillance, with staff working in three shifts to monitor the footage from the installed cameras. This continuous watch ensures immediate response to any flood threat.

With these measures, BBMP aims to prevent floods and ensure the safety of Bengaluru’s residents during the monsoon season.