By News Karnataka
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru (Karnataka): A spell of heavy overnight rainfall brought India’s tech capital to a near standstill on Friday, with large parts of the city reporting waterlogging, tree falls, and severe traffic snarls. The downpour, which began late Thursday and continued intermittently into Friday morning, disrupted daily life and exposed Bengaluru’s fragile infrastructure.
Bengaluru records 65.5 mm rainfall
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded 65.5 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 5:30 am on Friday. Data from the city’s Automatic Weather Station (AWS) showed a similar figure of 66 mm. Surrounding areas too witnessed significant rainfall: Doddaballapura logged 60 mm, Chandurayanahalli (Ramanagara) 46 mm, and Hessarghatta (Bengaluru Rural) 43 mm.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru, predicting light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 kmph at isolated places. Other districts under yellow alert include Vijayapura, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Tumakuru, Kolar, and Chikkaballapura.
Karnataka sees widespread rain
Beyond Bengaluru, several regions in Karnataka experienced heavy rainfall. Kanagamakalapalli in Chikkaballapura recorded the highest rainfall at 130 mm, followed by Tirumani and Beechaganahalli (114 mm each), Chelur_1 (101 mm), and Bhandarkumtha in Bidar district (112 mm). Gadag registered 51.9 mm, Tamaka (Kolar) 21.5 mm, and Mangaluru 20.7 mm, while Gulbarga Observatory reported dry thunder.
IMD issues safety advisory
In its advisory, the IMD cautioned citizens about potential disruptions due to rain. “Take safe shelter; avoid trees. Unplug electrical and electronic devices. Stay away from water bodies and conductive objects. Drive cautiously,” it said. The department also warned of waterlogging, power outages, and tree collapses due to the heavy showers and strong winds.
City struggles with waterlogging and tree falls
The downpour severely affected traffic in several parts of the city. The Integrated Command and Control Centre of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) logged 103 rain-related complaints between 6 am and 6 pm, the majority related to tree falls.
South Bengaluru reported 15 tree falls. Roads at JP Nagar 6th Phase and Banashankari were blocked for hours.
Roads worsen, commuters hit
The persistent rain has further damaged Bengaluru’s already deteriorating roads. New potholes have appeared across major arterial stretches, posing risks to motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders. Commuters reported long delays on Mysuru Road, Outer Ring Road, and other key corridors.
Friday’s downpour once again underscored Bengaluru’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall, with civic agencies struggling to respond to widespread complaints of flooding and fallen trees. With more rain forecast over the coming days, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.
