Bengaluru flooding disrupted life in Manjunatha Nagar in the Kalkere ward of K.R. Puram after rain on Monday evening, with water entering homes and residents struggling to leave their neighbourhood and remove water from their houses, according to a report by Prajavani.
Residents said the flooding occurred along the second cross of Manjunatha Nagar, where an alleged encroachment of a stormwater drain has repeatedly restricted the flow of rainwater. They said the locality is inundated whenever it rains, with water reportedly reaching depths of two to three feet on each occasion.
The latest flooding damaged household goods after rainwater entered homes, residents told Prajavani. They also said household sumps filled with sewage-contaminated water, forcing families to undertake the difficult task of pumping or removing it.
Local resident Thimmaiah said residents had approached local MLA Byrathi Basavaraj and officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority over the problem, but that the flooding had not been resolved. Residents have accused elected representatives and officials of neglecting the locality despite repeated complaints.
The incident points to the immediate impact of blocked or restricted stormwater drainage in a built-up neighbourhood. When rainwater cannot move through the drain network, streets and homes become part of the temporary drainage system, exposing residents to property damage and contaminated water. The report, however, does not provide details on the specific extent or legal status of the alleged encroachment.
Joint Commissioner Sudha Swapna had inspected the area a few months ago, residents said. They added that the visit had not produced a solution and that the flooding continued during subsequent rainfall.
The episode also highlights the gap between site inspections and corrective action in neighbourhood-level drainage management. Residents are seeking a permanent resolution to the recurring waterlogging, including action on the drain obstruction and improvements that would allow rainwater to flow away from homes.
The report does not specify whether the Greater Bengaluru Authority has announced a schedule for clearing the alleged encroachment or upgrading the drain. The next official action and the timeline for addressing the Manjunatha Nagar flooding remain awaited.
