Heavy rain in Bengaluru brought the city to a standstill, with school buses stuck for hours on Balagere Road, around 2 km from the tech hub Outer Ring Road (ORR).
Sources said that buses from multiple schools were stuck on the same stretch on Tuesday evening due to flooding caused by heavy rain. Many parents questioned why the government didn’t announce a holiday on Tuesday, despite the heavy rain forecast for Bengaluru.
Pictures and videos of at least six school buses stranded on the flooded road have gone viral. In one video, students of Vagdevi Vilas School are seen getting off with their bags and being moved from school buses to excavators and tractors.
"Pathetic situation #BalagereRoad #ITHub. A Vibgyor school bus broke down in the flood near Disha. Parents came in tractors to rescue their children," wrote Namma Balagere (@BalagereConnect) on X (formerly Twitter).
Also, read: Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru flooded; techies demand WFH, govt announces holiday for schools
"Kids being rescued using #tractors #JCB on Balagere Road. @osd_cmkarnataka @CMofKarnataka. This is the result of not having stormwater drains, encroaching on rajakaluves, and unplanned growth. Your action is critical to saving lives. #BalagereRoad #BengaluruRains," another post read.
Traffic police said Balagere-Panathur Road is now closed for traffic due to heavy waterlogging and urged commuters to use alternate routes. Citizen groups also warned two-wheeler riders to avoid roads leading to ORR and HAL Road from Balagere.
Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha said they have declared a holiday for schools and anganwadis on Wednesday (October 16). However, colleges will remain open. October 17 is a public holiday in observance of Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti.
Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said rain is forecast to continue. "I have advised the BBMP to be on high alert. We have already deployed about 60 NDRF/SDRF personnel in Bengaluru and are redeploying another 40 to be on standby for any necessity. We have put the Fire and Emergency Services on standby for immediate response. Bengaluru district administration has declared a holiday for schools for tomorrow."
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