Mallathahalli residents say flooding fears are back as drain remains blocked

For residents of Mallathahalli, the monsoon has become a season of anxiety rather than relief, bringing back memories of flooded streets, submerged vehicles and sleepless nights. People living in NGEF Layout said they have been grappling with recurring flooding since 2017.

According to the residents, the flooding started after a natural rainwater flow path in the area was disrupted, causing stormwater to accumulate during periods of intense rainfall.

Naveen B.G., a local resident, said that repeated complaints have been filed with civic authorities over the years, but a permanent solution remains difficult to find. “The entire locality was there for a long time. The issue started in 2017 when the construction for an apartment began. It came up, and all the nearby adjacent properties were flooded,” he alleged.

Mr. Naveen said that the residents approached multiple civic agencies between 2017 and 2020 seeking intervention. Following inspections and studies commissioned by the civic body, drainage infrastructure was eventually created to channel rainwater from the upstream areas to an existing drain network downstream.

Concerns

The residents said the measures helped reduce flooding in recent years, although they did not completely get rid of the problem. However, they claimed that a new issue in the drainage outlet since March this year has once again raised concerns ahead of the monsoon.

“Three months back, they blocked that drainage. We approached the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Commissioner, but nothing has happened till now. The AEE (Assistant Executive Engineer) and Chief Engineer have come to the spot a number of times, but it is still blocked,” Mr. Naveen said.

The neighbourhood has witnessed severe flooding episodes in the past. Residents recall a major incident in June 2020 when intense rainfall submerged roads and houses. Vehicles were engulfed and household belongings were damaged as water entered residential properties.

Sadashiv A., another resident, said that the flooding became a recurring problem and heavy rainfall often leaves roads and residential plots flooded. According to him, water accumulation during intense rain is severe enough to make parts of the area seem like a “swimming pool”, affecting residents, including senior citizens.

Need feasible solution

Officials from the GBA have reportedly conducted multiple inspections following recent complaints. Residents, however, alleged that no concrete action has been taken to clear the blockage and restore free flow of stormwater.

A GBA official said that they were not aware of the issue and stated that the matter would be examined and that they explore possible solutions in consultation with residents.