Get ready for monsoon: Greater Bengaluru Authority directs five city corporations

Bengaluru: M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), on Thursday directed all five city corporations to take precautionary measures to prevent flooding and inconvenience during the pre-monsoon and monsoon season.

"Disaster management responsibilities in the five city corporations lie with their respective commissioners. All commissioners have been instructed to ensure that all precautionary measures are taken before the monsoon to avoid inconvenience to the public," GBA said in a statement.

Of 209 previously identified flood-prone areas within the GBA limits, 49 were identified as flood-prone in 2025. Officials have been directed to review measures taken and ensure permanent solutions have been implemented to prevent flooding.

"In areas where permanent solutions have not yet been provided, the chief engineers of the city corporations must coordinate with the chief engineer of the GBA Project Implementation Unit and take necessary measures to prevent flooding. Additional commissioners of all city corporations must oversee and submit reports on actions taken or planned for these 49 areas," the statement said.

Officials have also been asked to complete stormwater drain development works on a priority basis in flood-prone areas. Rao set a month's deadline to desilt and clean all roadside drains.

"Priority must be given to desilting works under ongoing CMIDP and SIP projects, along with completion of shoulder drains. For remaining roads, maintenance teams must carry out desilting. While doing so, proper connectivity to nearby SWDs must be ensured for smooth water flow," he said.

He warned that negligence in providing such connectivity would lead to disciplinary action against the engineers concerned. Each corporation has also been asked to constitute special teams to promptly clear fallen trees, branches, and debris during rains.

"A system must be in place to respond immediately to public complaints. Preventive trimming of weak or leaning branches must also be undertaken," Rao said.

Instructions issued 

Complete desilting of drains by April-end.

Take special mitigation measures at flood-prone areas.

Constitute special teams to trim trees.

Special attention to be given to flood-prone areas such as Panathur 'S' Cross, Silk Board, Madiwala, and Rajarajeshwari Nagar.