Bengaluru reels under heavy rains with waterlogged roads, traffic chaos and tragedies

Bengaluru: A relentless spell of heavy pre-monsoon showers has thrown normal life out of gear across Karnataka’s capital. Over the past three days, the city has been pounded by cloudbursts dumping 15 to 20 cm of rain, leading to widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls, and the tragic loss of life.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the city recorded 103 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours alone. Many parts of Bengaluru resembled flooded zones on Monday, with visuals of boats being deployed in certain low-lying areas to rescue stranded residents.

In a heart-wrenching incident, a 32-year-old woman lost her life after a wall collapsed on her in the Whitefield Industrial Area, one of the hardest-hit zones.

Chaos on the streets

Major roads turned into rivers as rainwater inundated key junctions, including Silk Board Metro Station, Shanti Nagar Bus Stand, Kanteerava Stadium, and several neighborhoods like Sai Layout in Horamavu under the Mahadevapura zone. Commuters waded through knee-deep water as vehicles broke down, tree branches fell, and traffic congestion worsened across the city.

“I have never seen such a situation in May,” said a frustrated commuter stuck for hours in traffic near Silk Board. “We need action, not excuses,” the commuter added.

Official response

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited rain-hit areas on Monday evening to assess the damage and interact with residents. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru’s in-charge Minister, said he was monitoring the situation closely.

“To my fellow Bengalureans, I am one among you. I understand your concerns, I share your frustration, and I assure you of my commitment to resolving them. I stand with you,” Shivakumar posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which recently replaced BBMP, is working on addressing the drainage and civic infrastructure failures that led to such severe waterlogging.

Residents call for urgent civic action

As visuals of flooded homes, stranded vehicles, and submerged roads went viral, residents voiced their anger at the city’s unpreparedness despite recurring rain-related issues every year.

Calls for urgent investment in stormwater drains, better urban planning, and coordinated emergency response grew louder.

More rain ahead: IMD issues fresh alerts

According to N. Puviarasu, Director, IMD Bengaluru Centre, a yellow alert remains in place for Bengaluru and surrounding districts through Tuesday. The city and coastal Karnataka are expected to receive more heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours due to an ongoing cyclonic circulation pattern.

“Moderate to heavy thundershowers, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph are expected throughout the week,” Puviarasu warned.

IMD Senior Scientist R.K. Jenamani further confirmed that orange and red alerts have been issued for parts of Karnataka for May 20 and 21, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in North and South Interior Karnataka, coastal areas, and adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu and Goa.

Statewide impact

Apart from Bengaluru, the rain fury extended to several other districts, including Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Kodagu, Belagavi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Davanagere, and Chitradurga.

With rain showing no signs of slowing down, authorities are urging residents to stay indoors during heavy downpours and avoid venturing into waterlogged zones.