Flooding, Electrocutions, and Traffic Mayhem Plague the City as Rainy Season Hits Hard
Bengaluru: Bengaluru is in the grip of relentless rainstorms that have wreaked havoc on the city over the past 36 hours, leading to widespread flooding, road accidents, and tragic deaths. As the downpour continues, the death toll related to rain-induced accidents has now reached five.
Sai Layout, a residential area, has turned into an island, with ground floors submerged and residents unable to leave their homes. Knee-deep water has disrupted everyday life, leaving citizens struggling to navigate flooded streets and overburdened infrastructure.
Residents Struggle as Water Levels Rise: Sai Layout Underwater
“We are trapped in our homes with water rising to our knees. The BBMP is not providing the necessary help,” said one resident of Sai Layout, a locality that has been completely submerged due to torrential rainfall. Over 150 residents were evacuated and relocated to safe zones yesterday, but anger over the delayed relief efforts continues to grow.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has provided food and water supplies to those affected, but community frustration is mounting.
Tragic Loss of Life: Electrocutions, Wall Collapse, and Lightning Strikes
In a devastating turn of events, two people died from electrocution while attempting to pump out water from a flooded apartment basement. The victims, Manohar Kamath (63) and Dinesh (12), were fatally shocked when a short circuit occurred while using a pump to drain rainwater from their residence in NS Palya, near BTM Phase 2.
“The power supply was not properly shut off, and that led to the electrocution,” the MICO Layout police confirmed. Both victims were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Another tragic death occurred in Mahadevapura, where Sasikala (35) was killed when a compound wall collapsed on her while she was working.
“This is a constant reminder of how unsafe the city has become due to poor construction and inadequate safety measures,” expressed a local resident.
Additionally, two lightning deaths were reported in Raichur and Karwar, adding to the growing toll from the pre-monsoon fury.
Traffic Chaos: Waterlogged Roads, Potholes, and Long Traffic Jams
Commuters across Bengaluru faced severe disruptions, especially in areas like Manyata Tech Park, Silk Board Junction, and HSR Layout, where knee-deep water created traffic snarls. New potholes have also appeared on several roads, further jeopardizing motorists’ safety.
One such incident was captured on CCTV at Agara, HSR Layout, where a biker lost control on the slippery, rain-soaked road and collided with a car. The accident, which occurred around 5:21 PM, highlighted the dangers of speeding on wet roads.
Bengaluru's Infrastructure Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for Authorities
While Bengaluru's civic bodies and disaster management teams are working to address the chaos, this deadly sequence of events has brought the city's inadequate infrastructure into sharp focus. BBMP's lack of preparedness has been widely criticised, with residents urging for urgent reforms to prevent further disasters.
“Our city is drowning in water, and the authorities are still giving excuses. Why wait for more deaths to act?” questioned a local activist.
What’s Next for Bengaluru?
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Bengaluru received 30 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, with 105 mm recorded since Sunday morning. With more rain predicted, the city is bracing for further challenges, especially in flood-prone areas.
“We need immediate action to fix our drainage systems and road infrastructure. Every rainy season, we face the same crisis,” said another frustrated resident.
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