Heavy rain inundated parts of Anekal taluk on Thursday evening, flooding National Highway 44 near Kithaganahalli Gate and creating traffic congestion stretching for four to five kilometres, according to a report by Prajavani – Bengaluru. Commuters faced severe difficulty as water flowed across the highway and disrupted movement in the area.
The rain began at around 4 pm and continued until 8 pm, leaving roads in Kithaganahalli Gate, Marasur, Attibele and Anekal town submerged. At Kithaganahalli Gate, the highway reportedly resembled a lake, with standing water covering the road surface and making it difficult for motorists to identify the carriageway.
The flooding brought traffic movement to a standstill in several stretches. Vehicles had to move through waterlogged sections and pothole-filled roads, while the congestion extended for several kilometres. The disruption affected motorists travelling through the Anekal-Chandapura corridor and caused the local traffic system to deteriorate during the evening period.
The report attributed the waterlogging to the absence of an adequate drainage system to carry rainwater away from the highway. Instead of flowing away from the road, rainwater accumulated on the carriageway, creating conditions that restricted vehicle movement and increased the difficulty of navigating potholes.
Residents and motorists said the Kithaganahalli Gate stretch becomes waterlogged whenever heavy rain occurs. They criticised the lack of corrective action despite the recurring nature of the problem and accused officials of ignoring the condition. The report did not identify a specific department or authority as having announced an immediate response.
The incident highlights the direct connection between road performance and roadside drainage in rapidly developing urban corridors. A highway can remain operational only when its carriageway, shoulders and drainage infrastructure function together. In Anekal, the latest flooding affected not just road conditions but also traffic flow across a major commuting route.
Waterlogging was also reported on roads in Marasur, Attibele and Anekal town. Commuters had to negotiate submerged stretches and damaged surfaces as heavy rain continued across different parts of the taluk. The report did not provide details of casualties, property damage, emergency closures or the duration of the traffic disruption beyond the reported four-to-five-kilometre congestion.
The recurring flooding at Kithaganahalli Gate now remains an unresolved road and drainage issue for commuters using the highway. The next operational priority is the restoration of normal traffic movement and assessment of the drainage and pothole conditions along the affected stretches.
