Heavy showers, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, pounded many parts of the city in the evening on May 6, resulting in fallen trees and waterlogging.
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Centre (KSNDC), yellow alerts for thunderstorms have been issued for Bengaluru Rural and Urban, Chamarajanagara, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagara, and Tumakuru districts.
Bengaluru Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic) MN Anucheth, said, "Rains have caused heavy waterlogging at 33 spots and tree falls at 16 locations today, resulting in traffic jams in various areas. The traffic police is tirelessly working to reduce congestion by implementing temporary diversions. We request the public's cooperation."
Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of Kempegowda International Airport, said seven flights were diverted from Bengaluru on Monday evening due to adverse weather conditions. The diversions included six flights to Chennai and one to Coimbatore. Among these, four flights belonged to IndiGo, while one each belonged to Akasa Air, Vistara, Alliance Air, and AirAsia India.
Vehicular movement was affected in many areas, with slow-moving traffic reported due to waterlogging at various locations, including Hebbal flyover towards the airport and Veerannapalya, Summanahalli, Maharani underpass, Vaddarapalya signal, Summanahalli, Nagawara, Hebbal railway station, and Kamakshipalya.
Also, read: Bengaluru: Rain brings relief to parched citizens, but city sees waterlogged roads and traffic snarls
Tree felling incidents were reported in Kathriguppe signal, Lingarajapuram Main Road, Mehkri Circle, Jayamahal Road, Gundu Rao Circle, Gangamma Circle, PES college near Devegowda circle, Hennur Main Road, Malleshwaram and other areas impacting traffic flow. An electric pole broke down on Hennur Main Road, adding to the disruption. The underpass connecting towards Sankey Road near Kalpana Junction (Cunningham Road) was closed due to waterlogging.
Heavy waterlogging has been reported near Windsor Manor bridge, exposing the poor monsoon preparedness of the civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath said that they will complete the desilting work by May 20. As of May 3, 75% of the cleaning in the 859 km stormwater drainage system had been completed, with the remaining work expected to be finished within a week," he stated.
According to Karnataka Weather, a private weather blogger said hail storms were reported over the southwest parts of Bengaluru city, with intense rains affecting parts of the north, southeast, east, and central areas. Residents were urged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel due to intense thunderstorms and gusty winds. The Meteorological Department forecasted partly cloudy skies with occasional spells of rain or thundershowers till May 12.
Meanwhile, areas near Majestic saw traffic congestion as many people were heading to their hometowns in North Karnataka to cast their votes on May 7.
Also, read: Rain brings relief to sweltering Bengaluru
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