Bengaluru: Bengaluru has been hit by heavy rains since Tuesday resulting in severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions across the city. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, warning more rain in the coming days.
Around 150 homes have been flooded, with Yelahanka, Mahadevapura and parts of East Bengaluru among the worst-hit areas. Streets have turned into pools, leaving residents stranded and frustrated with the poor drainage infrastructure that has failed to cope with the downpour.
Minister Jameer Ahmed Khan Assesses Damage in Chamarajpet
Minister for Minority Affairs and Housing Zameer Ahmed Khan toured several areas of his constituency Chamarajpet focusing on slum areas where the impact was severe. During his visit to VS Garden, he inspected homes where water had entered causing significant damage.
As part of the relief efforts, 20 families were each given Rs 15,000 compensation. KMDC president Altaf Khan, along with local leaders Ravi, Gausiand Venkatesh, accompanied the minister during the inspection.
Schools Closed and Services Disrupted
The District Collector has declared a holiday for all schools and Anganwadis to ensure the safety of children amid the challenging weather conditions. Meanwhile, food delivery services and quick commerce operations have reported partial disruptions. Many businesses are also seeing a drop in footfall due to rain.
Authorities deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and installed suction pumps to manage waterlogging. However, residents are demanding long-term solutions, calling for improved drainage systems to prevent future floods.
Bengaluru Weather Update: conditions are favourable. Parts of Bengaluru likely to experience moderate to isolated heavy showers during 5-11 pm..#Bengaluru #Bengalururains
— 🛑 Bengaluru Rain Alert (@Bengalururain) October 21, 2024
Bengaluru’s residents are left wondering when the city’s infrastructure will catch up with its growth, as each spell of rain brings the same chaos and frustration.
Following incessant rains across the Bengaluru city district, schools have declared a holiday on Monday.
Severe waterlogging has been reported at M G Road, Madivala, Sankey Road, High Grounds, Vasanth Nagar, Millers Road, and the K R Circle underpass, among other places in the heart of the city.
Bengaluru City District Collector Jagdish G. issued an order declaring a holiday for Anganwadi centres and private/aided primary and high schools in all taluks of Bengaluru City district. He said that the decision had been taken as a precautionary measure and in the interest of students. However, degree courses, post-graduation, diploma and engineering colleges and ITIs will remain open.
The heads of colleges have been asked to consider the condition of the buildings while conducting lectures in the colleges to avoid any accidents. Also, extra classes have to be held on weekends to compensate for the loss of learning hours. Parents and college principals should ensure that students do not go to low-lying areas.
Netball Women's Championship match Postponed: Heavy rainfall in Bengaluru city on Sunday night created chaos in many places. Two matches of the Asian Netball Women's Championship that were scheduled for today have been postponed as rainwater entered the premises of the Koramangala Indoor Stadium.
Due to flooding inside the stadium premises, organisers said that the first two matches between Chinese Taipei-Iraq and Philippines-Japan were postponed to October 24.
Fourteen teams including India, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Iraq have participated in the 13th Asian Netball Women's Championship which started on October 18. Heavy rainfall flooding the stadium premises is a common problem during sports events but the lack of appropriate measures to handle it has left the sportspersons frustrated.
Rare morning thunderstorms over Benguluru. Some parts of West Bengaluru crossing 60 mm. However, system appears to have slightly weakened now #Bengaluru #Bengalururains pic.twitter.com/BLTO3csmtp
— 🛑 Bengaluru Rain Alert (@Bengalururain) October 21, 2024
Rain forecast in many parts of Karnataka: A low-pressure area over the south-eastern Bay of Bengal is likely to have a heavy impact on Karnataka. The Meteorological Department has predicted that 25 districts of the state, including the capital Bengaluru, are likely to experience heavy rainfall.
In this background, a yellow alert has been announced in Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bellary, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru City, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagara, Shivamogga, Tumakuru districts.
Climate scientist Pradeep, who keeps a tab on rains in Bengaluru said, “Some parts of West Bengaluru crossed 60mm. However, it appears to have slightly weakened," he posted on his X page Bengaluru Rain Alert.
Bengaluru Rain Alert further posted, "conditions are favourable. Parts of Bengaluru likely to experience moderate to isolated heavy showers during 5-11 pm.."
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