Heavy overnight rain paralyzes Bengaluru: Waterlogging, traffic chaos across city; IMD issues yellow alert

NEW DELHI: A heavy spell of overnight rain brought Bengaluru to a near standstill on Friday, as several low-lying areas were waterlogged and major roads witnessed severe traffic snarls. The downpour, which began late Thursday night, continued intermittently into Friday morning, disrupting normal life across the city. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru recorded 65.5 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 5:30 AM, while the city’s Automatic Weather Station (AWS) logged 66 mm. In surrounding regions, Doddaballapura received 60 mm, Chandurayanahalli (Ramanagara) saw 46 mm, and Hessarghatta (Bengaluru Rural) recorded 43 mm. A yellow alert has been issued for the city, with the IMD forecasting light to moderate rain or thundershowers, along with gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph at isolated locations. Other districts under the yellow alert include Vijayapura, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Tumakuru, Kolar, and Chikkaballapura. Widespread rainfall was reported across Karnataka, with Kanagamakalapalli (Chikkaballapura) topping the charts at 130 mm, followed by Tirumani and Beechaganahalli (both 114 mm), Chelur_1 (101 mm), and Bhandarkumtha (Bidar district) at 112 mm. Elsewhere, Gadag recorded 51.9 mm, Tamaka (Kolar) received 21.5 mm, and Mangaluru logged 20.7 mm. The Gulbarga Observatory reported dry thunder. In an advisory, the IMD warned of possible power outages, waterlogging, and falling tree branches due to the strong winds and rain. “Take safe shelter; avoid trees. Unplug electrical and electronic devices. Stay away from water bodies and conductive objects. Drive cautiously,” the advisory urged. The persistent showers have also worsened road conditions across the city, with new potholes forming and posing a serious risk to commuters—especially two-wheeler riders.The Integrated Command and Control Centre of GBA logged 103 rain-related complaints between 6am and 6pm, of which most were about tree falls.South Bengaluru topped the list with 15 tree falls. Roads at JP Nagar 6th Phase and Banashankari were blocked for hours. West Bengaluru recorded 15 tree falls and 10 branch collapses. A massive tree fall near Vijayanagar disrupted traffic towards Mysuru Road, while Rajajinagar and Basaveshwaranagar saw several streets cordoned off for clearance operations.In north Bengaluru, nine tree falls and 12 branch collapses were reported. At RT Nagar, clogged roadside drains added to woes, leaving several stretches waterlogged.Bengaluru Central reported relatively fewer cases — two tree falls and six branch collapses and East corporation, was least affected with four complaints, including two cases of waterlogging at Indiranagar 100-ft Road and Kaggadasapura, and a tree branch collapse near KR Pura.(With agency inputs)