Sir,

The city of Mysuru has been experiencing continuous and intense rainfall over the past several days, and what should be a season of relief and renewal has instead become a period of disruption, concern and hardship for its residents. The recurring scenes of flooded streets, floating plastic waste, clogged drains and failing infrastructure are no longer isolated incidents — they are symptoms of a much deeper, chronic urban issue.

The recent downpours have once again exposed the serious gaps in our civic preparedness. In several parts of the city, the underground drainage (UGD) system is severely clogged, unable to handle the volume of rainwater. The absence of a proper stormwater drainage network in many areas has turned roads into rivers, bringing everyday life to a standstill. Even more alarming is the risk of sewage water leaking into the drinking water supply due to damaged pipelines, posing a grave threat to public health.

This is not a new problem. Every monsoon brings the same challenges, and yet, year after year, we find ourselves caught off guard. It is time for the authorities to move beyond temporary fixes and develop a comprehensive, long-term solution to this recurring crisis.

A city-wide rainwater harvesting plan must be implemented on priority. The rain that currently floods our roads and drains can be a vital resource if properly collected, stored and reused. Government support, in the form of subsidies and incentives for household-level rainwater harvesting systems, will encourage public participation and ensure widespread adoption.

Additionally, a dedicated 24×7 crisis management task force must be established to respond quickly to rain-related emergencies — be it clearing fallen trees, de-silting clogged drains, or repairing damaged lines. Preparedness and real-time response are essential to avoid the chaos that heavy rains inevitably bring.

Of course, lasting change also depends on citizen responsibility. The rampant littering of plastic bags, bottles, and other waste into drains is a major contributor to flooding.

We must develop a stronger civic sense and treat our surroundings with the same care and respect that Mysuru’s great rulers once demonstrated in building and preserving this beautiful city. The time to act is now. We must treat this not as a seasonal inconvenience but as an urgent call to improve our city’s resilience and sustainability. Let us work together — citizens, officials and planners — to ensure that Mysuru is not only proud of its past but also prepared for its future.

— Dr. G. Rathnakar, Associate Dean-Academics, JSS Science & Technology University,  Mysuru,  11.6.2025

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