Water logging: public movement restricted in Lalbagh

Flooding due to heavy rain has created a havoc not just in some parts of the city, but also at Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

Stagnant water has made most path ways inaccessible. The Horticulture Department has now decided to barricade paths where there is water stagnation and possibility of tree fall, to ensure there are no untoward incidents.

More than six Ashoka trees and some Eucalyptus trees have fallen in the Lalbagh. Some of the trees have bent and are posing danger. The department officials have restricted people’s movement in these areas.

Prabhash Chandra Ray, Director of Horticulture told DH that this was the first time in many years that parts of the botanical garden have to be closed. Since it is raining continuously since the last few days, many areas are seeing water stagnation. The lake water has been been over flowing almost daily since the last few days.

He said that the lake water has been over flowing from the Jayanagar side towards the drain. It has also over flowed on to the walk ways. Apart from this, there is a low lying area near the MTR Gate and floral clock side where water has stagnated. In other parts, rain water has stagnated.

“We want to pump out the water using machines and make it flow into the drains. But if we do it now when it is raining, there will be flooding in other places. So, we have to wait till the rain stops. We hope that by this weekend all stagnant water will be cleared and people can freely walk around,” Ray said.

He said in some places water will percolate by itself. But, if the rainfall continues, then the process will be slow and take more time.