Bengaluru rain: Red alert in 7 Karnataka districts; more downpour expected as city 'sinks'

Bengaluru rains

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a red alert for seven districts in Karnataka, and an orange alert for Bengaluru, following days of heavy rainfall. These include Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan. The alert warns of continued heavy to very heavy rain over the next two days, The Indian Express reported.

Rain disrupts daily life

Karnataka has been witnessing heavy downpours for the past three days. Thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds hit several regions late Sunday night, causing severe waterlogging, property damage, and traffic jams. In Bengaluru, areas like Silk Board Junction, Hosur Road, and BTM Layout were among the worst affected, with roads submerged and vehicles stranded.

Loss of lives

According to the report by Indian Express, five people have died in rain-related incidents across Karnataka. In Bengaluru, three people lost their lives in the last 36 hours. Two men were electrocuted at an apartment in NS Palya, near BTM 2nd Stage. One of the victims, 63-year-old Manmoham Kamath, was trying to pump out rainwater from his house when a short circuit occurred, leading to his death.

Karnataka Deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday met the family members of the two who died due to electrocution.

Political slugfest

Karnataka BJP slammed the ruling Congress for organising ‘Sadhana Samavesha’ event to celebrate the party’s two years in office, in Vijayanagara district even as Bengaluru was reeling under severe flooding caused by relentless rains since Sunday night.

Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka said, “There is a flood situation in Bengaluru and elsewhere in Karnataka. We are seeing Bengaluru being submerged in rains. People are suffering. But the ruling Congress leaders, instead of handling the situation, have gone to Ballari to celebrate their two years in the government.”

Senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge attended the event in Hospet, the district headquarter town of Vijayanagara.

BBMP urges vigilance

BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Tuesday held an emergency virtual meeting with officials in response to the crisis. He asked all zonal control rooms to remain active and respond quickly to public complaints. “All zonal control rooms must promptly respond to complaints from the public. Officers should stay alert and act swiftly to resolve civic issues,” he told officials during the meeting. The civic body has advised residents to remain cautious and encouraged them to report issues via the BBMP helpline number–1533.

Cyclonic system brewing over Arabian Sea

The IMD has also warned of a cyclonic circulation forming over the east-central Arabian Sea, off the Karnataka coast around May 21. This system is expected to turn into a low-pressure area, which could further intensify and bring more rain in the coming days.

Given the flooding in parts of Bengaluru, especially along Outer Ring Road between KR Puram and Silk Board, several IT companies have advised their employees to work from home. Many tech parks and office campuses in this area have been affected by waterlogging and traffic disruption.