Bengaluru Flooding: Mapping the impact of urban encroachment on water bodies

As Bengaluru faces another bout of heavy rainfall, the city’s vulnerability to flooding has once again become a pressing issue. An interactive map called BLR Water Log, developed by IT experts Aman Bhargava and Vivek Matthew, highlights areas where water tends to pool due to poor urban development and the encroachment on natural water systems.

Here's the full map:

BLR Water Log

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Using advanced digital elevation models, the map visually depicts the flow of water across the city. Regions such as Ejipura, Koramangala, and Manyata Tech Park are shaded in darker blues, indicating they are more prone to flooding. These areas were once natural water bodies, including lakes and wetlands, but were filled in for construction purposes. This disruption of the city’s natural drainage has led to severe waterlogging during periods of intense rain.

The ongoing rainfall has aggravated the situation, resulting in widespread flooding that has disrupted normal life. Many residents in affected regions are struggling with travel, as some roads have become impassable due to the rising water levels. This map plays a crucial role in shedding light on the root causes of flooding and calls for more sustainable urban planning to prevent further damage in the future.