Bengaluru's Sankey Tank, A Lake Built In Response to 1874 Drought, Mostly Dry Now

Bengaluru: Sankey Tank in Bengaluru, originally constructed in 1882 by Col. Richard Hieram Sankey to address the water shortage during the drought of 1874, is facing severe drought conditions itself. Once considered one of the best-maintained lakes in the city and a prominent landmark in north Bengaluru, Sankey Tank is now mostly dry, with the remaining water levels reaching only a few feet.

Professor T. V. Ramachandra from the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), who has been studying the lake since 1996, remarked that the current water levels are unprecedentedly low. The lake, which is rainfed, draws water from its catchment area encompassing IISc, Sadashivanagar, and neighboring regions.

"The lake's decline can be attributed to the scanty rainfall in the area and elevated evaporation rates due to rising temperatures," stated Prof. Ramachandra.

Water conservationist S. Vishwanath said that the lake loses about 1.8 meters of water annually to evaporation, equivalent to approximately 7 millimeters per day. Given the estimated 40-day wait until substantial rainfall, an additional 28 centimeters of water level loss is anticipated due to evaporation alone.

Professor Ramachandra further noted that extensive paving in the lake's catchment area and overuse of groundwater through borewells contribute to the diminishing water levels. He added that sewage inflow into the lake has exacerbated the situation.

The dwindling water levels of Sankey Tank have raised concerns among walkers and conservationists alike. Preeti Sunderajan from Citizens for Sankey expressed dismay over the lake's current state, emphasizing that decision-making regarding the lake's upkeep lacks ecological expertise, resulting in excessive concrete usage that impedes water percolation and exacerbates urban heat island effects.