Bengaluru: Ahead of the likely advance of the southwest monsoon over Karnataka, intense premonsoon thundershowers swept across central and southwest Bengaluru on Friday evening, flooding major roads and junctions, uprooting trees, and throwing traffic out of gear.
Rainfall Data from IMD
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru city recorded 46 mm of rainfall, while the HAL airport area received 20.8 mm until 8:30 pm. IMD officials indicated that rain is likely to intensify in the coming days as the monsoon strengthens over the southern peninsula and is expected to advance further.
Flooding in Central Bengaluru
The evening downpour inundated several low-lying stretches in central Bengaluru, including Kumara Krupa Road towards Shivananda Junction, Queen’s Road towards Anil Kumble Circle, Vittal Mallya Road, and the Cantonment Railway underpass near Mehkri Circle. Flooding was also reported at KR Market towards SJP Road.
Waterlogging in Southwest Bengaluru
In southwest Bengaluru, major stretches on Mysuru Road, including Chamarajpet, BHEL Junction, and Nayandahalli, witnessed severe waterlogging that led to long traffic snarls during peak evening hours.
Response by Authorities
Traffic police personnel and civic workers were deployed at multiple locations to clear clogged stormwater drain inlets and ease traffic movement. Emergency personnel removed uprooted trees from Kumaraswamy Layout, Vidyaranyapura, and the Outer Ring Road near PES University after roads were blocked and commuters stranded for nearly two hours.
Previous Day Impact
On Thursday evening, 68 trees were uprooted, mainly in west and south Bengaluru, highlighting the recurring nature of such weather events in the city.
