Bengaluru rains: Woman dies of electrocution, water supply disrupted as flooding continues
Schools have been shut down as several parts of the city faced traffic jams and many areas are still inundated.
A 23-year-old woman was on Monday night killed in Bengaluru due to electrocution while she was returning home from work on her scooter in flooded roads in Whitefield, The Indian Express reported.
Many parts of the city are submerged after two days of torrential rain. On Sunday, the Bengaluru received 131.6 millimetres rainfall, the third highest downpour the city has ever recorded, officials told The Hindu.
On Monday, the deceased identified as Akhila, was returning to her home in the Sarjapura area but fell from her scooter as the road was inundated with knee-deep water.
“She lost her balance and touched an electric pole and then she was electrocuted,” Whitefield Deputy Commissioner of Police S Girish said.
A first information report has been registered against Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code for causing death due to negligence.
Meanwhile, water supply in several residential areas has also been adversely affected till Tuesday, reported NDTV. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has arranged free-of-cost tankers to provide water in areas where the supply through taps has been suspended.
The supply was cut after water entered the pumping stations in Mandya district, reported ANI.
“The officials of the Mandya district are busy in draining out water from the pumping station,” said Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai. “The situation is expected to come under control by evening. The technical team is working on the emergency mode to restart the machinery.”
The city was flooded on Monday following heavy overnight rainfall. Visuals showed vehicles submerged under water and commuters wading their way on streets.
Schools were shut down on Monday, reported the Deccan Herald. Some will also remain closed on Tuesday.
The rains have also flooded several homes and housing complexes in Rainbow Drive Layout in Sarjapur, the Outer Ring Road, KR Puram and Varthur. Rescuers used boats and tractors to evacuate residents in Varthur.
Bommai has announced his government will release Rs 300 crore to tackle the flooding, reported the Hindustan Times. The announcement came after the chief minister met senior ministers and officials to review the situation, reported PTI.
Bommai said that the money will be used to restore infrastructure such as roads, electric poles, transformers and schools, among others. He added that Rs 1,500 crore has been kept aside for constructing storm water drains in the city.
The rains on Monday also disrupted flight schedules at the Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport. Six aircraft, including two international flights, were diverted to Chennai airport.
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.