Bengaluru: The southwest monsoon has made significant inroads into southern Karnataka, enveloping Bengaluru and its environs in a blanket of heavy rain, as confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The thundershowers that swept through the city and other parts of the region on Saturday marked the official onset of the monsoon season. However, the torrential downpour on Sunday led to widespread waterlogging across 58 locations within Bengaluru, bringing the city to a standstill.
The relentless rain resulted in the uprooting of 206 trees and the falling of branches at 41 different sites. Several low-lying areas experienced severe flooding, with water entering numerous homes overnight. A particularly notable incident involved a tree branch falling on the viaduct of the Namma Metro Purple Line between MG Road station and Trinity, causing a suspension of metro services between Indiranagar and MG Road. Namma Metro swiftly issued a public advisory via social media, assuring commuters that efforts were underway to clear the obstruction and restore normal operations.
Vehicular movement near Trinity Circle was severely disrupted due to the fallen tree branch, compounding the traffic woes caused by the incessant rain. According to IMD’s Automated Weather System, Bengaluru Urban district received 103.5 mm of rainfall by 10.30 pm on Sunday, exacerbating the situation on the ground.
The city’s traffic police reported significant congestion on several major roads, including those leading to Kempegowda International Airport. Efforts by the traffic police and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to clear the fallen trees and stagnant water were ongoing to facilitate smoother vehicular movement. Waterlogging also impacted sections of the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, further complicating travel conditions.
Heavy traffic jams were observed in multiple locations, including Narayanapura towards Hennur Bagalur Road, Kalpana Junction towards Vasanth Nagar underpass, and several other key junctions across the city. The BBMP and traffic police teams worked tirelessly to remove obstacles and ensure traffic flow resumed as swiftly as possible.
The IMD forecast for mid-Sunday predicted “generally cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainfall and thundershowers over the next 48 hours” for Bengaluru, with temperatures expected to range between 20°C and 30°C. The monsoon is anticipated to progress further into central Karnataka over the next few days, bringing light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers to most districts.
As Bengaluru braces for continued monsoon rains, the emphasis remains on ensuring safety and minimising disruption to daily life. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and stay informed about weather updates and advisories.
