Fri May 02 02:12:19 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru’s Lakes Dry Up Amidst Pollution Concerns

**Bengaluru, India (May 2, 2025)** – Over half of Bengaluru’s 183 lakes maintained by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have dried up due to the intensifying summer heat, leaving water levels at a mere 35% of their capacity. While experts claim this seasonal drying is natural and even beneficial for lake health, concerns remain about groundwater depletion and persistent pollution.

A recent de-weeding operation at Madiwala lake uncovered significant submerged waste, highlighting the ongoing pollution problem. Residents near other lakes, such as Mailasandra, continue to battle encroachment and pollution, demanding immediate rejuvenation efforts.

Data reveals stark differences across zones. The R.R. Nagar zone has lost 12 of its 33 lakes, while Mahadevapura and Yelahanka zones have seen 19 and 12 dry lakes respectively. Even the South zone, typically better off, shows significantly reduced water levels.

BBMP Chief Engineer Vijaykumar Haridas attributes the drying to summer heat, stating that the situation, while impacting groundwater, won’t cause immediate scarcity. He assures that the BBMP is focusing on rejuvenating the remaining lakes, prioritizing sewage diversion, desilting, wetland conservation, and other measures.

Lake conservationist Raghavendra B. Pachhapur echoes that the drying is a natural reset, offering an opportunity for crucial rejuvenation work. He advocates for creating suspension ponds to filter pollutants and suggests incorporating varying lake depths to retain more water during dry spells. He also emphasizes the need for directing rainwater directly into lakes instead of storm drains to improve water levels and groundwater recharge. Pachhapur also highlights the need for immediate attention to lakes filled with treated sewage water, whose fate is currently caught in bureaucratic limbo between the BBMP and BWSSB. The situation underscores the complex challenges facing Bengaluru’s water management.

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