However, amid the concerning trend, there are glimmers of hope. Six lakes within Bengaluru Urban district are brimming to capacity, while 19 others are filled between 50% to 90%, largely attributed to the Koramangala-Challaghatta and Hebbal-Nagavara valley projects, according to an engineer.
Notably, dried-up lakes like Nallurahalli Lake near Whitefield and Vibhutipura Lake near HAL have been repurposed as recreational grounds. The depletion of these water bodies poses a potential threat to the groundwater table and could impede fishing activities. Yet, officials remain optimistic, citing recent rainfall and forecasts predicting continued precipitation, which could rejuvenate the dry and drying lakes.
However, it is not crucial to highlight that the count of 184 BBMP lakes excludes 19 water bodies that are no longer in use. Sankey Tank, a prominent water body in the heart of Bengaluru, is among those rapidly drying up.
Addressing the issue, an officer emphasized the efforts being made by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to replenish lakes by using treated water from sewage treatment plants. Nevertheless, for lakes located further away, dependency on rainfall remains the primary solution, underscoring the critical need for sustained precipitation to mitigate the water crisis.
