Recurring Whitefield flooding is forcing residents of Athashri Apartments, a senior living community in Bengaluru, to deal with sewage and stormwater entering the premises and pooling in the basement, where the parking area, gym and canteen are located.
Residents told The Hindu that the latest flooding followed heavy rain in Bengaluru during the week. They said the problem has continued despite repeated representations to civic and political authorities over the past two years.
“Each time it rains, instead of feeling happy about the weather, we, senior citizens, worry because from the parking to the gym, canteen, and the entire ground floor floods with sewage water, posing serious risks,” resident Chitra Sampath said.
Residents attributed the flooding to changes in the area’s natural drainage pattern. Athashri Apartments is located at a relatively lower level, while Pattandur Agrahara lake, next to the complex, was previously a collection point for runoff from surrounding areas. Water used to flow towards the lake through a rajakaluve, or stormwater drain, according to Shivaprakash, vice-president of the apartment complex.
Residents said the rajakaluve was blocked over time and that rubble was dumped on land adjoining the lake, raising its level. They also said a stormwater drain constructed as part of subsequent work was later blocked with concrete. As a result, rainwater from developments to the eastern side of the lake flows towards the apartment complex during heavy rain, they said.
The flooding is compounded by a separate sewage problem in the neighbourhood, residents said. Several paying guest accommodations have come up to the north-east of the apartment complex, and residents allege that these properties do not have access to an underground sewage network and depend on septic tanks.
During heavy rain, residents said, sewage and rainwater from these properties overflow towards Athashri Apartments. The mixing of sewage and stormwater leaves the basement with a strong foul smell and affects facilities used by the community.
“The basement houses facilities used by the community, including the parking area, gym, and canteen, and these are affected when the water enters the premises. We have been taking this up with the authorities for the past two years. We have met officials and submitted petitions, but the flooding keeps happening,” resident Brig Murthy said.
Rama Narayanaswamy, another resident, said the community had approached the Corporation Commissioner, the local MLA, the Bengaluru Development Minister and other authorities without securing a solution. Residents said the most recent flooding occurred after Bengaluru received heavy overnight rain during the week.
The flooding also raises questions about how drainage outlets, lake edges and new development are being managed in Whitefield, where changes to land levels and construction have altered the movement of stormwater. In this case, residents say the apartment complex is receiving runoff from surrounding developments while the earlier route towards the lake is no longer functioning.
Corporation officials acknowledged the flooding issue when contacted by The Hindu. They said the apartment association could submit its complaint in writing, after which the matter would be examined. No immediate remedial measure or implementation timeline was specified in the report.