Hotel flooded as VVWW reservoir overflows in Yadavagiri

A hotel on Vivekananda Road in Yadavagiri suffered damage early morning on February 3 after a ground-level reservoir of the Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) — which supplies drinking water to Mysuru city on behalf of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) — overflowed and flooded the property.

Hotel staff were caught off guard as water suddenly entered the premises, inundating the basement and the ground floor. The compound wall collapsed as water gushed into the property, damaging portions of the basement and furniture.

According to hotel staff, water entered the reception area around 4 a.m., soon flooding the entire floor, including the restaurant. Staff initially struggled to understand the source of the water entering the premises.

The hotel in-charge said a memorandum had been submitted to the MCC commissioner seeking restoration of the damage caused to the compound wall and other areas. MCC authorities have reportedly assured that the issue would be looked into and repair works would be taken up from February 4. Engineers from VVWW visited the hotel and assessed the damage.

Residents, activists and hotel staff said an apparent delay in closing the reservoir valve led to water overflowing and gushing onto the hotel premises like a small stream. Had the valve been shut on time, the incident could have been avoided. Eventually, hotel staff closed the valve to prevent further damage, it is learnt.

Act of negligence?

Expressing shock at the incident, activist and Mysore Grahakara Parishat member Dr Bhamy V. Shenoy, also a resident of Yadavagiri, said he visited Hotel Komfort Suites after learning about the flooding and found staff clearing water and cleaning the premises. He termed the incident an act of negligence on the part of VVWW.

The MGP and the Yadavagiri Residents Association (YRA) have raised the issue with senior MCC officials. “The question is whether the hotel will be compensated for the losses suffered due to the fault of the VVWW. Will the MCC take responsibility and bear the losses?” Dr. Shenoy asked.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shenoy reiterated the long-standing demand to take VVWW out of MCC control and establish it as an autonomous body. “MGP has been demanding this reform for over 25 years. The latest incident once again highlights the need for accountability and structural change,” he said.