Gurugram, Aug. 19 -- Once natural lifelines of Gurugram, the city's traditional water bodies now lie buried under debris and illegal encroachments, triggering a deepening civic and environmental crisis. According to JAAGO GURUGRAM, a collective of RWAs, reckless dumping of construction waste and unchecked encroachments have choked critical catchments like the 84-acre Khala near Ambience Mall and Johars along Rao Gajraj Marg, Old Gurgaon Road and Sector 22B/Molhera. Chairperson Kundan Lal Sharma warned the city has "turned a blessing of rain into a recurring curse" and stressed that revival of these reservoirs is "no longer optional but a necessity for survival." In Sector 22B, resident Bhim Singh Yadav highlighted flooding along Rajangla Road and nearby homes caused by runoff from Udyog Vihar. He said the Johar on Rao Gajraj Marg, once a key rainwater absorber, is now buried under construction waste. "The MCG, custodian of this water body, has made no effort to restore it," he said. In Dundahera village, choking of the Khala reservoir has turned downpours into recurring misery. "Our homes and Old Gurgaon Road are repeatedly flooded, damaging property and crippling daily life," said resident Virender Kumar Yadav. Residents argue that restoring Johars offers the only solution. "These revived water bodies can break the cycle of flooding and support fish cultivation, boating, bird watching, and groundwater recharge. It can become an ecological and social asset," said Prakash Lamba, president of Sector 21 RWA. The problem is acute in Surya Vihar, on the Delhi-Gurgaon border, where runoff stagnates and mixes with untreated sewage. "Children wade through filth to reach school, elders are trapped indoors, and vehicles break down in knee-deep water. This is a public health emergency, not just an inconvenience," said Rajesh Gera, president, Surya Vihar RWA. Deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar assured these long-standing issues will be resolved soon. But resident groups insist only a strict enforcement against encroachments and investment in nature-based flood control, can rescue Gurugram. Debolina Kundu, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) director, said burial of reservoirs has reduced water absorption, worsening flooding. "Expansion of built-up areas and decline in green and water spaces impact aquifer management," she added....