Bengaluru rain: Recurring episodes expose BBMP failure to resolve woes in flood-prone areas 

Recurring floods across several parts of Bengaluru — including Manyata Tech Park, Sri Sai Layout, and Rainbow Drive Layout — have once again highlighted the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) poor execution of flood mitigation measures.

Bengaluru

Recurring floods across several parts of Bengaluru — including Manyata Tech Park, Sri Sai Layout, and Rainbow Drive Layout — have once again highlighted the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) poor execution of flood mitigation measures.

In Sri Sai Layout, Horamavu, flooding has become an annual ordeal during the pre-monsoon showers and the monsoon. Each year, rainwater enters over 100 houses, forcing residents to vacate temporarily. Homeowners routinely spend lakhs repairing the water damage. Despite repeated appeals, long-term solutions remain elusive.

Rainbow Drive Layout (RBD), located near Sarjapur Road, also continues to suffer. Although last year the layout saw some respite, this year the flooding was back. Similarly, after nearly seven years, flooding returned to S.T. Bed Layout in Koramangala.

At Manyata Tech Park and surrounding areas near Manpho Convention Centre, flooding remains a chronic issue. The BBMP has drawn criticism for yielding to influential interests while ignoring encroachments on storm-water drains (SWD).

A source from Manyata Tech Park stated that a previously active drain was blocked owing to encroachments. Without reconnecting it, the issue cannot be resolved. In response, the BBMP Chief Commissioner has asked senior officials to meet with representatives of Manyata and Karle Tech Parks, and Manpho Convention Centre to discuss the construction of a new SWD.

Neelufar Ahmad, a resident of Sri Sai Layout, told The Hindu: “As usual, the BBMP Chief Commissioner visited the site and gave several directives. But besides pumping out the water, nothing tangible has been done. The layout floods frequently owing to its low-lying nature and a narrow vent under the railway bridge. Unless the SWD is widened, the problem will persist. Temporary fixes aren’t enough.”