Bengaluru today … Waterlogged plush areas of India’s tech capital are another grim warning to all cities

Source: The post is based on the article “Bengaluru today … Waterlogged plush areas of India’s tech capital are another grim warning to all cities” published in The Times of India on 7^th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Disaster and disaster management.

Relevance: About flooding in Bengaluru.

News: Two days of heavy rain in Bengaluru left many areas waterlogged in the city. This again highlights the economic boom, poor urban planning and real estate greed in Indian cities.

How did development led to flooding in Bengaluru?

Before the IT boom, Bengaluru was as much a city of lakes and tanks with interconnected channels as it was a city of parks.

An intricate ecosystem meant for irrigation underwent a rapid change in character with the pace of the city’s development. This led to rise in land prices and scarcity of land.

Many water channels have been choked by concrete from all sides. Few lakes and tanks have been filled up without dredging for years. Changing rainfall patterns aggravated this vulnerability.

What is the status of other Indian cities on flooding?

Hyderabad, another city of lakes and tanks, is regularly hit by waterlogging, including “flash floods”.

Cities with rivers flowing through them like Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi also face the risks spawned by rapidly depleted floodplains.

What should be done to avoid flooding in Bengaluru and other Indian cities?

Creation of stormwater drainages: In recent flooding in Bengaluru, areas which underwent stormwater drainage repair did not get waterlogged. So, other cities have to implement such systems and repair them regularly.

Decentralisation of power: Megacities like Bengaluru generating thousands of crores in revenue have not to be micromanaged by a state government. Decentralising governance and devolving powers are key to the new planning and development paradigm.

Bad/corrupt planning and political machinations should be avoided at all costs.