When it rains, Bengaluru braces itself for already bad traffic becoming far worse, with waterlogged roads, flooded houses, and even sewage overflows. Bengaluru is prepared for almost anything. But on Friday morning the city threw up a new surprise when commuters found people fishing on the roads.
Fifteen hours of almost continuous rain caused many of the city’s lakes to overflow onto main roads during peak traffic hours. As the waters flooded the roads, they brought along the lakes piscine residents. A radio station reported that fishermen, making most of the phenomenon, were standing on the roads trying to catch the live fish. Some people were even using bedsheets and blankets to catch fish.
Commuters captured the happenings near the city’s Madivala Lake.
@blrcitytraffic Madivala lake overflow. Traffic cops managing traffic and fishermen on road. Lots of live fish! pic.twitter.com/MdopFU4A7R
— Peter Vas (@peter_vas) July 29, 2016
I can see citizens out in droves with large bedsheets scooping up wayward fish on roads. Squirming catch in make-do fishing nets. Jugaad
— Peter Vas (@peter_vas) July 29, 2016
Looks like madivala lake is overflowing. People catching fish on the road near silk board. #BengaluruRains pic.twitter.com/GwbQDmFYu1
— Sachin S Rao (@SachinSRao) July 29, 2016
Things got more serious at Kodichikkanahalli and Bilekahalli, near the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore where a breach in the lake flooded the neighbourhoods. The fire and emergency service personnel rescued citizens stranded in these areas on ferries.
This is from Kodichikkanahalli #Bangalorerain pic.twitter.com/XQsdjo2vlL
— Ramesh Kedlaya (@ramskedlaya) July 29, 2016
These from kodichikkanahalli now! Being told a lake burst #Bangalorerain pic.twitter.com/wqjitJoTBt
— Satish Gopalan (@satishkg) July 29, 2016
The infamous Bellandur lake that recently has been spewing froth and catching fire from time to time has also overflowed its banks and caused flooding in neighbouring areas early Friday morning. Not surprisingly, commuters on roads near the lake had to navigate their way around or through froth yet again.
Going to work. Like a cross between Survivor and The Amazing Race. #Bellandur #whereistheroad pic.twitter.com/xqMnBZFAG0
— Payal Banerjee (@Payalee) July 29, 2016
A temporary solution never lasts. #Bellandur. Mesh collapses! pic.twitter.com/4MEQCwe4q9
— Aditi V Sequeira (@AditiSequeira) July 29, 2016
Stuck on the roads for hours on Friday morning, Bengaluru commuters also took the time to share what the gridlocked city looked like on Google maps and extended their sympathies to Gurgaon that was also brought to a standstill by the rain.
This is what #Bangalore traffic looks like at 9.40 am on Friday, this is no fun. @blrcitytraffic #FreakyFriday pic.twitter.com/WMHvR3ZkrA
— Aravind (@Aravind_P_L) July 29, 2016
And it's raining cats and dogs in Bangalore...15 hours and it has not stopped pic.twitter.com/KdJPjEb7LS
— lakshmisharath (@lakshmisharath) July 29, 2016
Dear Gurgaon, Bangalore is also joining you in the quest to become Venice. pic.twitter.com/LiMHVh7pCx
— TheGhostRider31 (@TheGhostRider31) July 29, 2016
Although July started out as a relatively dry monsoon month in Bengaluru, the rains have come down on the city in the past week. Private weather forecaster Skymet has recorded 96 millimeters of rain in the last 72 hours, of which 38 millimeters have fallen in the last 24 hours itself. This month-end weather has helped Bengaluru overtake its monthly rainfall average of 108.9 millimeters and has made it the rainiest July in the last seven years. The city is expected to get more heavy rains in the next 48 hours.