India's Bengaluru Grapples with Devastating Floods After Record Heavy Rains
Indian city of Bengaluru experienced unprecedented flooding after being battered by 130mm of rainfall within just 12 hours from Sunday evening to early Monday, marking the second-highest rainfall in a decade. This severe weather event has left three people dead, submerged around 500 homes, and caused widespread disruption across the city.
The deluge was triggered by the convergence of two low-pressure systems accompanied by intense thunderstorms, affecting southern, northern, and eastern parts of Bengaluru. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall over the next five days, raising concerns about further flooding.
Among the fatalities were a 63-year-old man, Manmohan Kamath, and a 12-year-old boy, Dinesh, who tragically died from electrocution while pumping out floodwater in BTM Layout. Another victim, Shashikala D, a housekeeping staffer, was killed when a compound wall collapsed in Whitefield.
Floodwaters have inundated several neighborhoods including Kengeri, RR Nagar, Ejipura, Koramangala, and BTM Layout, with over 100 homes flooded in Kengeri alone. The floodwaters also claimed the lives of five animals in Vrishabhavathi Valley. In addition, 44 four-wheelers and 93 two-wheelers were submerged or swept away by the floods, and dozens of trees were uprooted or damaged.
Key infrastructure suffered significant damage and disruption. Multiple underpasses and flyovers were closed due to flooding, public bus services were halted in many areas, and major junctions like Central Silk Board were completely waterlogged. The stormwater drainage system, designed to handle 70mm of rainfall, was overwhelmed by the intense downpour. Over 20 lakes in Yelahanka reached near-full capacity, exacerbating the flooding situation.
The city’s administration, led by BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, acknowledged the severity of the crisis and assured residents that efforts are underway to manage the situation. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore to improve stormwater drainage infrastructure to mitigate future flooding risks.
Many residents and businesses, including prominent tech firms in Bengaluru’s IT corridor, have shifted to remote work as streets remain submerged and traffic snarls persist. Authorities continue rescue operations using boats to assist stranded residents and are closely monitoring over 200 flood-prone areas across the city.
As Bengaluru battles the aftermath of this intense weather event, officials urge caution and preparedness as more rain is expected in the coming days.
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