Bengaluru hit by flooding, traffic jams after heavy rain
Six flights to the city from various destinations were diverted to the Chennai airport
Several areas in India’s tech capital Bengaluru were waterlogged on Monday due to heavy overnight rainfall with visuals showing vehicles submerged in water and commuters trying to wade through it.
This is the second time in the week that the city has been flooded following heavy rainfall, NDTV reported.
Traffic movement was crippled on the Outer Ring Road near Ecospace, Bellandur, KR Market, Silk Board junction and Varthur. Trees also fell in at least three areas, including Adugodi and Tannery Road, reported the Deccan Herald.
“I have not seen such heavy rain this monsoon,” Nataraj K, a resident of Mahalakshmi Layout, told the newspaper.
He said that the manhole outside the Mahalakshmi metro station was overflowing with full force and passengers had to take shelter on the stairs.
The police have advised residents not to go out of their homes, except for an emergency, reported The News Minute.
Visuals from Sunday night showed streets near Ecospace submerged in rainwater. Several housing societies were also inundated with residents seeking Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s intervention.
Visuals from Marathahalli-Silk Board junction showed a security guard rescuing a man from drowning in a waterlogged road, reported ANI.
Some employees of information technology companies used tractors to reach offices in the Yemalur area, according to ANI.
“We can’t take so many leaves from the office, our work is getting affected,” a resident told the news agency. “We are awaiting tractors to drop us for Rs 50.”
Fire department officials and other government authorities have been pressed into service to carry out drainage work.
Boats have been deployed in the Varthur suburb to help commuters make it through flooded roads.
Flight services hit
The inclement weather condition also disrupted flight services at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, reported The Hindu.
Six aircraft, including two international flights, were diverted to Chennai airport.
Nine flights, including six international ones, were delayed due to the rains. Passengers also had to walk through water stagnated in the vehicle parking areas outside the terminal.
Visuals showed that the areas outside the airport have been inundated.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board said that the supply of water from the Cauvery river to several parts of the city will be adversely affected till Tuesday, The Times of India reported.
The authority said that this was because the pumping station at Tore Kadanhalli has been completely submerged due to heavy rains.
Will hold discussions on losses to IT firms: CM
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that he will hold discussions with information technology companies on compensation for estimated losses of Rs 225 crore that they suffered, ANI reported.
“We will call the IT companies and speak with them related to the issues that they are facing due to waterlogging,” Bommai said. “We’ll also discuss the compensation and other related damages that have been caused due to rain.”
The city’s IT corridor was among the areas that were waterlogged on Monday.
Yellow alert in 12 districts
The India Meteorological Department has predicted a few spells of rain or thundershowers for Monday. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and maximum of 29 degrees Celsius on the day, according to the weather agency.
A yellow alert has been issued in 12 districts of Karnataka on Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department said.
According to this, heavy rainfall is predicted in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Davangere, Shimoga, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Kodagu, Tumkur, Chikballapur, Ramnagar and Kolar.
Rain and thundershowers are very likely to occur at most places over interior parts of South Karnataka and at a few places over interiors of North Karnataka till Tuesday, the weather office said.
Light to moderate thundershowers are predicted in Bengaluru urban and rural districts till September 8.
Incessant rains have continued in the state for the past one month. The chief minister has visited a few flood-hit areas to take stock of the situation.