Heavy Rainfall Triggers Severe Waterlogging In Bengaluru, Disrupts Daily Life

Heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours has led to significant waterlogging across several low-lying areas of Bengaluru, severely disrupting daily life.

Numerous tree branches were brought down and vehicles broke down amid the flooding, exacerbating the city's already notorious traffic congestion.

Footage showed residents wading through knee-deep water, as the drainage infrastructure failed to handle the sudden deluge. Roads resembled streams, with multiple vehicles partially submerged. Public transport services were delayed, leaving commuters stranded.

Water also entered many residential properties, soaking personal belongings and damaging electronic appliances. Authorities have since relocated affected individuals to safer locations.

The districts impacted include Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru, Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Kodagu, Belagavi, Bidar, Raichur, Yadgir, Davanagere, and Chitradurga. Among the worst-hit areas were Sai Layout and the Horamavu locality.

Amid the chaos, local MLA B Basavraj visited the waterlogged Sai Layout area on a JCB on Monday to assess the situation first-hand.

JCBs are being deployed to pump out floodwater in the worst-hit localities, particularly those where homes have been inundated.

Alert issued in Karnataka

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow' warning for heavy rainfall in coastal Karnataka, and an 'orange' warning for very heavy rain across northern and southern interior parts of the state.

In Bengaluru, an alert has been issued for heavy rainfall across districts including Udupi, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, and Shivamogga, among others.

"Scattered to widespread moderate rain with thunder and lightning is expected in coastal districts, with isolated heavy rain in southern interior regions today and tomorrow.

Northern interior districts are expected to receive rain from 19 to 22 May," the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre posted on X.

An IMD official added, "Based on the current cyclonic circulation, coastal Karnataka is likely to experience heavy rainfall. Bengaluru is also expected to witness intense rain over the next two days."