In the last 20 days, the city has received 349.7 mm rainfall, much above its average rainfall of 211.5 mm. The result: After a long time, most lakes in the city are brimming.
The highest rainfall ever that the city received for the month of September was in 1988, when 424.6 mm rains lashed down.
“With good rains, lakes are full and groundwater has been recharged,” said Meteorological Department Director B Puttanna. An official at the Bangalore Development Authority said: “The 24 lakes maintained by the authority are full and 45 others have reached half mark. In 34 lakes there is some water and only four are empty.”
BBMP Chief Engineer, Lakes, S V Satish said the 300-acre Yelahanka Lake is full and water levels have reached the tank bunds.
“Chinnapanahali lake, Dasarahali lake, Dorekere, Puttenahalli, Herohalli, Amblipura and Vijanapura lakes are also full,” he said.
The BBMP is also upbeat that most of their 55 lakes are brimming. Both BDA and BBMP have taken up lake development works, including desilting and fencing. “Out of the 28 lakes which BBMP took up for development, 15 have received government funds of `43 crore and 13 lakes have been developed through the corporation’s own funds,” said a BBMP official. The official also said that within BBMP limits, the Lake Development Authority maintains nine lakes and the Forest Department maintains four. “They have also received good inflow due to rains.”
Puttanna said the city is likely to receive good rains in the next 10 days due to low pressure in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.