Even after receiving decent rainfall in 2024, Bengaluru is staring at a severe water crisis. A mere 35% of the city’s lake storage remains, and nearly 3 lakh borewells have gone dry, indicating a sharp depletion of groundwater reserves. Out of 183 BBMP-managed lakes, 53 have completely dried up, prompting fears of a summer repeat of 2023’s water emergency.
According to civic data as of April 5, lakes should collectively store over 31,500 million litres, but only 10,980 million litres remain. Pre-monsoon rainfall has failed to recharge the water tables, and groundwater-reliant areas are the worst hit, officials confirmed.
Environmentalists say poor rainwater harvesting, silt accumulation, and lack of rejuvenation efforts are accelerating the crisis. The city’s ability to sustain itself through summer now depends almost entirely on the 2025 monsoon.
Zone-wise lake status paints a grim picture
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Mahadevapura Zone is the worst-affected, with 19 out of 50 lakes dried up, retaining only 2,110 million litres out of a capacity of 9,493 million litres.
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Yelahanka lost 12 of 27 lakes, with 4,276 million litres remaining.
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RR Nagar has 12 dry lakes out of 33, with only 393 million litres stored.
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Dasarahalli, South, and East Zones show declining levels too.
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West Zone fares slightly better, holding 351 million litres out of 453 million litres.
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Bommanahalli has lost 2 lakes but retains over 2,700 million litres.
Rainwater harvesting and local involvement are key
Experts stress the need for urgent desilting, lake revival, and citizen-driven conservation efforts. With the monsoon still weeks away, proactive steps could prevent deeper distress. The city’s water future depends on community engagement and policy push.
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