Bangalore: Though all of Sai Layout is submerged, not a single drop can be drunk

After intense rainfall battered Bengaluru earlier this week, Sai Layout found itself once again underwater. This latest bout of flooding has exposed the persistent failure of the city’s stormwater management, as homes remain submerged and access to basic amenities like drinking water and electricity remains cut off.

Also Read:Sai Layout in crisis amid ongoing Bengaluru Rains: Floodwaters leave residents stranded

Between Sunday night and Tuesday, the city received about 140 mm of rainfall. Low-lying areas like Sai Layout bore the brunt of the deluge. Even though the rain paused briefly, the stagnant floodwater refused to recede, leaving neighborhoods trapped in filth and without clean water. Electricity outages have compounded the crisis, leaving residents in the dark and struggling for essentials for several days.

Adding to the growing list of dangers, there’s been a noticeable rise in snake encounters in the area. Civil defence teams using heavy machinery to drain water and clear blocked paths have unintentionally displaced these reptiles. Now, snakes are appearing on roads and even near homes, likely chasing rodents flushed out by the floods. Authorities have received a surge in distress calls, raising alarm about both health and safety.

One of the key contributors to this repeated flooding is the poor design and misuse of the drainage system. In Sai Layout, a crucial stormwater channel that was originally 40 meters wide has been drastically narrowed down to just 12 meters due to unauthorized construction. This blockage prevents rainwater from flowing freely, turning minor showers into full-blown disasters.

People living in affected zones like Sai Layout are now demanding not just temporary relief, but long-term solutions. They want city officials to restore natural drainage paths, remove encroachments, and ensure that next time it rains, they aren’t left floating in dirty water, thirsty and afraid.