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Bengaluru Flooding: Supreme Court Judge Blames Man-Made Disaster
1 Aug
Summary
- Flooding in Bengaluru is a man-made disaster, not natural, says Supreme Court judge
- Rampant encroachments and poor urban planning disrupt the city's natural water flow
- Judiciary faces challenges in providing relief due to climate change impacts
On August 1, 2025, Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna spoke out against the recurring flooding in Bengaluru, calling it a man-made disaster rather than a natural one. During the silver jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka Judicial Academy, the judge criticized the city's poor urban planning and rampant encroachments, which have disrupted the natural flow of water.
Justice Nagarathna pointed out that Bengaluru, once known for its interconnected lakes, is now suffering from the consequences of unchecked development. "Half a day of rain and we're using boats in Bengaluru -- this is not normal," she said, explaining that the lakes previously acted as buffers, but now water has no space to flow.
The judge also highlighted the challenges faced by the judiciary in providing relief in environmental matters due to the growing climate crisis. She emphasized that existing laws do not require agencies to consider a project's contribution to climate change or its impact, and urged the judiciary and legislature to integrate climate change assessments into policy-making and urban development plans.
To address this gap, Justice Nagarathna proposed systemic reforms, including the need to have a "box to tick for climate impact in every new project." She stressed the importance of empowering local bodies and using data-backed tools for better implementation of environmental laws.
In conclusion, the judge made it clear that Bengaluru must rethink its approach to urban development by respecting ecological limits and adopting climate-sensitive governance to prevent further man-made disasters.
