Google Maps flags flooded zones in Bengaluru: Waterlogged areas and encroachment impact mapped

As heavy rains continue to batter Bengaluru, Google Maps has officially marked several areas of the city as flood-affected, helping residents and commuters navigate the ongoing crisis. The marked regions include Kengeri, Koramangala, Adugodi, Hebbal, and Nagavara, all of which have been hit hard by severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions over the past few days.

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

The digital mapping of these zones offers real-time visual confirmation of flood-prone stretches, enabling better awareness and travel planning. Commuters have already started relying on this tool to avoid submerged roads and reroute their travel.

In addition to this, the BLR Water Log Map, a collaborative initiative by civic tech volunteers and environmentalists, has further highlighted the impact of unchecked urban development on the city’s natural drainage systems. The map overlays urban encroachment data on Bengaluru’s lakes, stormwater drains, and wetlands, showing a direct link between lost water bodies and today’s flooding hotspots.

Environmentalists warn that the increasing encroachment on stormwater drains and lake buffer zones has choked the city's ability to drain excess rainwater. Areas like Koramangala and Nagavara, once home to active water bodies and channels, are now urban concrete sprawls that cannot absorb rainwater, worsening flood risks.

The combined data from Google Maps and BLR Water Log Map is being seen as a wake-up call for urban planners, the BBMP, and state authorities. Experts are urging the government to take immediate steps to restore water bodies, clear encroachments, and revamp the city’s drainage infrastructure.