Buying land in Bengaluru? This new tool could save you lakhs in flood damage

To try Plotana, visit www.plotana.com or download the Plotana app on Android and get your instant flood risk report before you invest.

Bengaluru

A powerful new tool may change how Bengalureans evaluate property. Plotana, a web and mobile-based platform using satellite-powered intelligence, will help homebuyers uncover hidden flood risks, drainage encroachments, and infrastructure vulnerabilities—instantly. The tool is currently a Beta version.

In a city plagued by erratic monsoons, poor drainage systems, and rampant encroachment of stormwater drains (rajakaluves), thousands of property buyers unknowingly invest in plots that are high-risk during the rainy season. Plotana solves this problem by letting users simply search or tap any location on a map of Bengaluru to receive a flood risk report within seconds.

The report classifies each site into one of three categories—Safe, Moderate, or High Risk—based on multiple geospatial factors like slope, elevation, proximity to open drains, and satellite-observed flood patterns. This is powered by a combination of remote sensing, public mapping datasets, and artificial intelligence.

Plotana also identifies whether a plot falls within or near a rajakaluve or other civic infrastructure, often invisible to the naked eye or missing from standard sale documents. This added layer of due diligence helps users avoid disputes with authorities or future demolitions related to encroachments.

What makes Plotana even more user-friendly is its built-in AI assistant, which simplifies technical insights into plain English. For example, if a user clicks on a high-risk zone, the assistant might explain: “This site is located near an open stormwater drain in a low-elevation area with poor runoff capacity. This makes it prone to waterlogging during heavy rains.”

While Plotana is currently focused on Bengaluru, the team has hinted at plans to bring the tool to other Indian cities where flooding and land misuse are growing concerns.

The platform requires users to sign in with a Google account, but its developers clarify that no personal information is stored—only anonymised user IDs are used to ensure a smooth experience. Plotana sources its data from Google Earth Engine, OpenStreetMap, and other publicly available civic layers, making it a unique public-facing tool built on open knowledge.

The tool has gained traction on social media and housing forums, where users call it a “life-saver” and “the first thing you should check before site visits.” With real estate being one of the biggest financial decisions for most families, and climate patterns becoming increasingly volatile, Plotana offers a layer of protection buyers never had before.

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