Bengaluru's 63 lakes at full capacity; Karnataka to ban basement parking in low-lying areas

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar said the government is drafting a rule to ban basement parking in flood-prone and low-lying areas

As many as 63 lakes in Bengaluru, under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, have reached full capacity following intense rainfall, while another 40 are nearly full.

BBMP records show that Yelahanka (19 lakes), Rajarajeshwari Nagar (16), Mahadevapura (13), and Bommanahalli (seven) have the highest number of lakes currently holding water at or above full capacity.

Also, read: Bengaluru woes: Why India’s tech hub, 3,000 feet above sea level, floods every time it rains

“Due to heavy rains over the past three days, 63 lakes under BBMP limits are now completely full, while 40 more are nearly full. Of the total 183 lakes, 13 in Mahadevapura, 19 in Yelahanka, 16 in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, and 7 in Bommanahalli have reached full capacity. These zones have witnessed particularly heavy rainfall in recent days,” said a BBMP official.

Of the total 183 lakes, 40 have water levels above 75 percent, 20 are between 25 percent–50 percent, and 18 are below 25 percent. BBMP officials said the Lakes Department has been clearing garbage, plastic, and debris from lake canals to ensure smooth water flow.

Basement parking ban in flood zones

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar said the government is drafting a rule to ban basement parking in flood-prone and low-lying areas. “Basements in such zones pose serious risks during heavy rain — especially electric shocks from submerged equipment,” he said. “Parking should be shifted to the first floor. I’ve asked my office to draft legislation mandating this change in vulnerable areas.”

Encroachments to be removed, says CM

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after inspecting flood-affected areas, directed officials to clear encroachments on stormwater drains (Raja kaluves), regardless of how influential the encroachers may be. He said 491 km of the city’s 860-km stormwater drain network has already been developed, with another 125 km under progress and expected to be completed in three months. The remaining 173 km will be taken up under a Rs 2,000 crore World Bank loan, with a three-year completion timeline. Siddaramaiah said compensation will be provided to families affected by flooding. “A total of 166 flood-prone areas have been identified for preventive measures,” he added.

He also reviewed flood mitigation works at Manyata Tech Park — where encroachments were ordered to be removed — and in HBR Layout, Sai Layout, Panathur Garden, and Silk Board Junction. He called on BBMP, Metro, and NHAI to coordinate efforts for long-term flood solutions.

Also, read: Bengaluru rains: Most flooded areas represented by BJP MLAs, says DK Shivakumar