Bengaluru flooded in 6 hours of rain: Experts say 'K-100 drainage model' is the solution, but it takes will

Roads in Bengaluru were flooded after six hours of continuous rain on Monday morning. While traffic warnings were issued as usual, residents tweeted warnings of severe flooding areas and some offices advised employees to work from home, experts believe the real issue that needs to be addressed is climate change.

Urban and environmental experts say this is yet another example of the severe climate crisis the world faces, with Bengaluru bearing the brunt. Problems such as large-scale concrete pouring, blocked drains and illegal encroachment into storm water drains still exist, but experts believe the solution lies in good governance, effective implementation of scientifically proven measures and, most importantly, the will to bring about change.

“Not even God can help the world when it comes to climate change, the only one who can help us is us. We face a serious crisis that requires quick action. This is not a small problem that can be solved with short-term solutions.

He explains: “The analogy is simple: like treating a serious illness with just paracetamol, stronger measures and ongoing treatment are needed. Due to massive concrete construction, reckless approval of construction projects and encroachment on stormwater drains, We are on the brink of collapse. We need strong municipal leadership, deep community engagement and solid city governance structures.

Aravili also pointed out that development is often confused with building roads, flyovers and other large structures when the real need is for blue-green infrastructure like lakes, stormwater drains and efficient waste management systems.

He highlighted the example of Bangalore's Outer Ring Road, a major IT hub, which frequently floods, leading to traffic jams across the city. He noted that the main reason is that water management is not properly considered when building large concrete structures.

“Coordinated action is needed from all agencies. Compared to cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad, the civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has very limited operating resources and is struggling to keep up.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Tejasvi Surya said on No steps were taken to constitute the BMLTA and no authority was given to traffic engineers to plan traffic management in the city.

K-100 Model: How to Follow

There is a stark contrast in the waterlogging situation in Bengaluru between Chikka Lalbagh and Bellandur. The 9.2 km long K-100 water channel project has become a success story demonstrating how effective cleaning and maintenance of our rajakaluves (storm water drains) can be done to mitigate flooding. The project, which stretches from Chikka Lalbagh near KR Market in Bengaluru to Bellandur Lake, aims to thoroughly clean the rajakaluve river bed and ensure clean water flow. This storm drain has become a “model” that the city can emulate.

The project, which is about to be completed, withstood the heavy rain on the night of August 11 and 12 and prevented waterlogging in Shanti Nagar, Ejipura and other areas, while Outer Ring Road, Hebbal, Yelahanka and other places were flooded.

In 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took an important decision to cancel the environmental clearance of a Rs 2,300-crore project in the Bellandur Lake wetlands. The court not only stopped the construction, but also ordered the reclamation of 3.10 acres of the lake and the restoration of multiple stormwater drains. After the NGT directed removal of concrete from the entire drain, the municipality started exploring ways to improve the area. Therefore, BBMP, in collaboration with urban designers and architects from Mod Foundation, Bengaluru, initiated a project to revitalize the K-100 drainage system.

The “model” K-100 drain passes through areas such as KR Market, Shanti Nagar, Hosur Road, Ejipura, National Games Village, Koramangala and ST Bed Layout, and finally reaches Bellandur. The project is now seen as an example of something that could be expanded to help protect Bengaluru from flooding. Because drainage systems flow through various types of land and conditions, it provides ideas on how to adapt them to different parts of a rapidly growing city. The K-100 watershed covers an area of ​​32 square kilometers and carries one-twelfth of the city's sewage and runoff.

K-100 Planner says city's sewer system is broken

Naresh Narasimhan, an urban planner and architect at Mod Foundation who came up with the concept for this BBMP project, told News18 that water now flows smoothly through the old city and the waterways are clean and free of silt, There is also very little solid waste. As the gutter walls are lowered, people become more disciplined and pay close attention to others to prevent garbage from being dumped in the stormwater drains, causing blockages.

“All stormwater drains in Bengaluru have solid silt, which has hardened over time. The capacity of the stormwater drains is more than adequate. Flooding should not happen in Bengaluru at all. There are several reasons for flooding: One is 30 % of the drains are filled with solid waste, 30% is illegal sewage, 30% is solidified sludge, leaving only 10% of rainwater capacity. Therefore, when it rains heavily, the water mixes with sewage and solid waste and overflows, causing flooding. People think they are garbage pits. The people are also responsible, not just the government. On one occasion I found a whole set of sofas in the gutters, and the city's sewage system was damaged,” he added. Only 10 percent of gutters are functioning properly.

“Last night's rainfall showed that in the area where we work, there is clear water flow and there are no areas that are flooded, but areas with blocked drains are flooded. What does that mean?

He also pointed out that the 10 kilometers of drains they constructed cost only Rs 175 crore. “Look at the effect. The sewage is gone, the sewage treatment plant in Chalaghata is functioning, and the lakes in Kolar district are filled with secondary treated water. This has several advantages. The problem is, most politicians think Urban development just builds roads, underpasses, tunnels and grade crossings why don't they have good storm water drainage, walkable accessible trails and waste disposal systems?