Severe Waterlogging, Traffic Chaos, and Tragic Fatalities Reported as Heavy Rainfall Batters the City
Bengaluru, May 20 — Life in Bengaluru remained severely disrupted on Tuesday following relentless downpours over the past 36 hours, with heavy flooding, long traffic jams, and a rising rain-related death toll across Karnataka. Officials confirmed that five people have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents, including electrocutions and wall collapses.Sai Layout Turns into an Island; Residents Rescued
In one of the worst-affected areas, Sai Layout resembled an island as the ground floors of several homes were partially submerged. Many residents were trapped indoors, unable to step out. Local authorities rescued around 150 people on Monday and moved them to safer locations. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) provided food and water to the evacuees.However, frustration grew among residents as they accused civic bodies of neglecting their plight. "No one came to help us until the water reached our knees," a local resident lamented.
Orphanage Flooded in Hennur, Rescued by Fire & Rescue Teams
A city orphanage in Hennur was also inundated due to the torrential rain. Rescue teams from the Fire and Emergency Services and the Disaster Response Force safely evacuated all inmates after water entered the premises.Commuters Struggle in Tech Hubs and Major Junctions
Major areas such as Manyata Tech Park and Silk Board Junction, home to numerous multinational offices and key transit points, witnessed severe waterlogging. Commuters were forced to wade through knee-deep water, while vehicle movement slowed to a crawl due to submerged roads and new potholes that emerged overnight.Electrocution Claims Two Lives in BTM Layout
Tragedy struck in NS Palya near BTM 2nd Stage, where Manmohan Kamath (63) and Dinesh (12) were electrocuted on Monday evening. Kamath, a resident of Madhuvan Apartment, had been using a motorised pump to drain floodwater when a short circuit occurred. Dinesh, the son of a Nepalese worker at the apartment complex, was standing nearby and also received an electric shock. Both were declared dead at a hospital. Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs) have been registered.Wall Collapse and Lightning Strikes Add to Statewide Toll
Elsewhere in the city, Sasikala (35) died when a compound wall collapsed while she was sweeping at a company under the Mahadevapura Police Station jurisdiction. In other parts of Karnataka, two more people died due to lightning strikes in Raichur and Karwar, bringing the overall toll to five.Rainfall Figures and IMD Alerts
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru received 30 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, following an intense 105 mm downpour on the night between Sunday and Monday.The IMD has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru, warning of very heavy rainfall between 8 to 10 cm. IMD Bengaluru Centre Director N Puviarasu noted that while rural areas can absorb such rainfall, cities like Bengaluru suffer due to concrete surfaces blocking natural water drainage.
The alert extends to several districts, including Bagalkot, Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Chikkaballapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Kolar, Koppal, and Vijayanagara. A yellow alert, indicating heavy rain of 6 to 11 cm, has been issued for Uttar Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Dharwad, Bengaluru Rural, and Bengaluru Urban.
Advisory Issued for Public Safety
The IMD has urged people to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take precautions during thunderstorms. Their advisory reads:Rains Continue to Lash South Karnataka and Coastal Regions
Heavy rainfall is being reported from several parts of south Karnataka, coastal and Malnad regions. In Mangaluru, the district headquarters of Dakshina Kannada, the city recorded 90 mm of rain in the last 24 hours.As the rains continue, civic authorities remain on high alert, while residents brace for more disruptions in the coming days.
