Bengaluru, India's tech capital, was brought to its knees on Friday after a night of relentless heavy rainfall. The city woke up to widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas and massive traffic disruptions on major roads, throwing daily life out of gear.
Rainfall Data and District-Wide Impact
The downpour commenced late on Thursday night and continued intermittently through Friday morning. Official data reveals the intensity of the deluge. Bengaluru city itself recorded 65.5 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to 5:30 am. The city's Automatic Weather Station (AWS) reported a similar figure of 66 mm.
The rain was not confined to the urban core. Neighbouring regions also received significant showers:
- Doddaballapura: 60 mm
- Chandurayanahalli in Ramanagara: 46 mm
- Hessarghatta in Bengaluru Rural: 43 mm
Across Karnataka, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) reported even higher totals in some areas. Kanagamakalapalli in Chikkaballapura district topped the list with a substantial 130 mm of rain.
IMD's Yellow Alert and Safety Advisory
In response to the conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru. The forecast predicts light to moderate rain or thundershowers, which may be accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 30–40 kmph in isolated places.
The alert also extends to several other districts including Vijayapura, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Tumakuru, Kolar, and Chikkaballapura. The IMD has cautioned the public about potential hazards such as temporary power cuts, water accumulation, and the uprooting of weak branches.
The weather office issued a crucial safety advisory urging citizens to:
- Take safe shelter and avoid standing under trees.
- Immediately unplug electrical and electronic appliances.
- Stay away from water bodies and objects that conduct electricity.
- Exercise extreme caution while driving.
Consequences for Commuters and Infrastructure
The immediate aftermath of the heavy rains has been chaotic for Bengaluru's residents. The continuous rainfall has led to severe waterlogging in several low-lying areas, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill on key stretches. The situation is particularly perilous for two-wheeler riders.
Adding to the commuters' woes, the downpour has exposed and created new potholes on the city's roads, further deteriorating driving conditions and posing a significant safety risk. The combination of flooded streets and damaged road surfaces has made travel across the city extremely difficult and time-consuming.
While Gadag received 51.9 mm and Mangaluru reported 20.7 mm, the Gulbarga Observatory noted dry thunder, indicating the varied weather patterns across the state. The event underscores the city's perennial struggle with urban flooding during the monsoon, highlighting infrastructure challenges.
