Bengaluru: Poor maintenance of stormwater drains, coupled with encroachments on natural water channels and lakes, is worsening urban flooding in Bengaluru, HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, IPS, has warned.
Speaking at a capacity-building programme for IAS officers at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Ranganath said cities must prioritise the protection of natural drainage systems or risk experiencing more frequent and severe flooding due to climate change.
Climate change increasing flood risks
Ranganath said intense rainfall driven by climate change, shrinking lakes, blocked drainage channels and inadequate maintenance of stormwater infrastructure have made urban flooding a recurring challenge across major Indian cities.
He stressed that safeguarding interconnected lakes, preventing encroachments and maintaining stormwater canals are as important as creating new drainage infrastructure.
Bengaluru cited as a warning
Using Bengaluru as an example, Ranganath said the city’s traditional network of lakes and rajakaluves (stormwater channels) has been narrowed or encroached upon over the years.
He added that rapid urbanisation and increasing concretisation have reduced rainwater percolation, making the city more vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Ranganath also cited Mumbai and Delhi, where encroachments, ageing drainage systems and outdated urban planning have contributed to recurring flood-related problems.
Hyderabad restoration model highlighted
The HYDRAA Commissioner said Hyderabad has been working to restore lakes, protect stormwater drains and remove encroachments to improve flood resilience.
According to him, the agency has reclaimed 2,471 acres of encroached public land over the past two years, including more than 480 acres of lakes and stormwater drains. Restoration work has also been undertaken across several lakes, along with desilting of canals and improvements to drainage infrastructure.
IAS officers attending the programme appreciated Hyderabad’s flood management initiatives and sought details on the use of technology, legal processes and administrative measures adopted during the restoration drive.
Ranganath said Hyderabad’s experience demonstrates that protecting natural water systems and ensuring regular maintenance of stormwater drains are critical to making cities more resilient to extreme weather event#Bengaluru #UrbanFlooding #StormwaterDrains #Environment #ClimateChange #NewsKarnataka