Bengaluru Flood Preparedness Projects Expose Gaps In Sensor Functioning And Fund Usage
Bengaluru’s flood preparedness initiatives have come under sharp scrutiny after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) highlighted major lapses in the city’s early warning systems. Audit findings reveal that several water level sensors installed across stormwater drains are non-functional, while costly flood modelling projects remain incomplete. The report also points to inefficient fund utilisation, with millions spent on salaries and maintenance rather than operationalising the systems meant to protect residents from urban flooding.
The CAG report examined a ₹2.3 crore project funded by the central Department of Science and Technology, intended to develop a comprehensive flood model for Bengaluru. KSNDMC was tasked with implementation, but the audit revealed that by December 2023, around 90% of the funds had been consumed by administrative expenses, leaving the flood forecast systems incomplete. Though 25 telemetric weather stations and four ultrasonic water level sensors were installed within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, the monitoring centre lacked records of sensor locations and the data generated.“A major concern is the disconnect between infrastructure investment and usable outcomes,” a senior urban planner said. “Without consistent data collection, early warnings cannot reach communities in time, and the purpose of such systems is defeated.”
Another focus of the audit was a separate ₹22.36 crore State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) project initiated in March 2021, which aimed to strengthen Bengaluru’s flood early warning network with 105 water level sensors. While installation was completed by January 2022 and full payments made, a verification in December 2023 found 49 sensors on stormwater drains non-functional, and no information was available for the five sensors reportedly installed on flood-prone streets.The CAG noted that some equipment had been removed by BBMP due to inadequate security arrangements, and others were stolen. These lapses severely compromised the system’s effectiveness, leaving residents vulnerable during heavy rains and undermining the intended disaster management improvements.Experts emphasise that Bengaluru’s rapid urban growth and increasingly erratic rainfall make effective flood monitoring indispensable. Yet, institutional and operational weaknesses have prevented these investments from translating into actionable warnings. “Technological solutions alone cannot reduce flood risks,” an official said. “Integrated governance, continuous monitoring, and community engagement are critical for a reliable early warning framework.”
As the city faces growing climate risks, strengthening operational flood sensors, maintaining equipment, and improving data management are essential steps toward a resilient urban flood preparedness strategy. Correcting past inefficiencies could help Bengaluru move closer to its broader goal of sustainable and equitable urban resilience.
