Bengaluru, 20 May (H.S.): Bengaluru experienced significant turmoil on Monday after receiving 130 mm of rain in just 12 hours, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for the city and 22 other districts in Karnataka until Thursday. This weather forecast suggests heavy rainfall will continue across the state on Tuesday. Tragically, three fatalities, including that of a nine-year-old boy, were reported due to rain-related incidents, as extreme overnight precipitation overwhelmed the city.
Prior to this deluge, Bengaluru had already seen 104 mm of rainfall on Sunday, which resulted in severe flooding in numerous neighborhoods. Streets across various parts of the city transformed into rivers, inundating over 500 homes. More than 20 lakes approached overflow levels, while underpasses became impassable and flyovers were flooded, disrupting public transport significantly. The city’s bus services experienced partial suspension due to impassable roads.
Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Municipal Corporation (BBMP), described the rain as the second-highest in a decade, indicating the severity of the situation. Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed deep concern regarding the devastation brought on by the relentless rain, assuring that he is in constant communication with officials to monitor the crisis. He emphasized the need for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes for the recurring issues the city faces, which have persisted across various administrations for years.
Shivakumar also pledged to personally visit flood-affected areas and the BBMP War Room to assess the situation firsthand. He expressed empathy for the residents of Bengaluru, acknowledging their frustrations and reiterating his commitment to addressing their concerns with sustainable strategies moving forward.
In response to recent flooding in Bengaluru, Central MP PC Mohan has called on IT companies, including Infosys, to implement a two-day work-from-home policy due to severe weather conditions and waterlogging. He expressed this concern on social media platform X.
The impact of the floods has affected many residents, including 28-year-old Nandini S, a pregnant woman who found herself stranded in a flooded bus near the Central Silk Board Metro station. Water levels rose significantly, leaving passengers trapped for over half an hour. While many individuals managed to exit through waist-deep water, Nandini felt unable to do so due to her condition. She described her fear during the ordeal, stating, “I was scared. I couldn’t walk that far alone in this condition,” before being rescued when an earthmover cleared the path.
On the political front, Home Minister G Parameshwara acknowledged the challenges posed by waterlogging and indicated that the newly-formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is taking corrective measures. He mentioned that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is working on the situation, but significant trash accumulation remains an issue in many areas. The opposition, however, has been vocal in its criticism of the government, pointing to deficiencies in urban infrastructure and flood readiness.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka highlighted these concerns on X, questioning the effectiveness of the Karnataka Congress’s promises regarding urban development. He commented on the disappointing state of Bengaluru by contrasting its branding with the reality of the flooded conditions. He also urged Development Minister DK Shivakumar to prioritize the city’s issues once he is done with other commitments.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
