Bengaluru: Just 7.2mm of rainfall on April 3 was enough to bring India’s tech capital to its knees — waterlogging, falling trees and electric poles, flooded homes — all from a passing shower. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC) recorded the light drizzle, but the aftermath painted a far grimmer picture: civic unpreparedness and misplaced governance priorities.
While citizens resignedly called this the “new normal,” experts pointed to deeper systemic flaws. Despite the BBMP’s multi-crore projects like skydecks, tunnels, and flyovers, basic, cost-effective solutions such as functional shoulder drains, clean rajakaluves, and rainwater harvesting remain ignored. “Simple fixes costing a few lakhs are never prioritised,” said a civic expert close to the government.
Poor tree maintenance and concretised footpaths are causing tree falls, added Prof T.V. Ramachandra from IISc. “Several flood-mitigation blueprints already exist from IISc, EMPRI, and BPAC. But they remain on paper. Even light rain exposes the BBMP’s reactive planning.”
KSNDMC officials echoed this sentiment, stating that despite tech alerts and forecasts, flooding persists due to encroachment and poor drainage flow. “Climate action plans must be implemented sincerely,” one said.
Prof Ashish Verma (IISc) highlighted NGT violations, noting that roads over drains and loss of buffer zones compromise stormwater flow. “Simple drainage slopes and clean shoulder drains are absent. The rich too are now affected. Engineers must be held accountable.”
WRI India’s Srinivas Alavilli emphasized clogged drains and lack of coordination. “The new Namma Raste Kaipidi manual offers hope — if truly followed.”
Civic activist Vivek Menon summed it up: “Too many agencies, zero foresight, and no willpower.”
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