126 lakes across the city overflowed due to heavy rains since the beginning of the month.
Story so far: The city has been battered by heavy rains and flooding over the past couple of weeks. More than 120 lakes are said to have overflowed. Years ago, the city had more than 1,400 water bodies. That number has reduced significantly over the years.
- Data from the BBMP showed in the Mahadevapura region alone, 42 lakes overflowed, leading to flooding. In the Bommanahalli zone, 30 lakes overflowed, and 22 in the RR Nagara zone.
- The water retention capacity of the city lakes has been reduced due to encroachments and non-desilting. Stormwater drains from the lakes have also been blocked.
Government findings: Government data identified more than 500 encroachments in the flood-hit areas. Only 20 lakes didn’t have any encroachments. 28 of the lakes were encroached by government agencies like the roadways and railways.