Bengaluru rains trigger waterlogging, wall collapse: Spotlight on Phoenix Mall, Manyata Tech 'Falls'

A massive downpour on Tuesday left several parts in Bengaluru submerged, sparking widespread discussion about the city’s chronic flooding issues. Social media was flooded with visuals showing the entrance and parking lot of popular Phoenix Mall waterlogged, making it nearly impossible for customers to access the shopping destination.

“Mall of Asia becomes Rainfall of Asia,” quipped one social media user, sharing videos of waterlogging, while another commented, “Where shopping meets swimming.”

Manyata Tech Park, a key business district, became the focus of online ridicule after it was humorously dubbed “Manyata Tech Falls” due to the waterlogging. The situation was brought under control by 6pm on Tuesday.

Sources also added that a retaining wall collapsed in Ebisu Tech Park, which was developed by CapitaLand IT Park, an adjacent property inside Manyata Tech Park.

A landslide occurred in Manyata Tech Park Yesterday,Bengaluru, due to heavy rainfall, causing concern among workers and residents. The intense rains have not only caused waterlogging but also unstable ground conditions, leading to this incident. While no injuries have been pic.twitter.com/aYVa8CWkJ0
Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) October 16, 2024

The collapse was triggered by water inflows following the thunderstorms, shining a light on the vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure to extreme weather events.

BBMP’s chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath told reporters: “Both Kendriya Sadan in Yelahanka and Manyata Tech Park in Nagawara are experiencing flooding because they have diverted their water drainage systems. This is not an issue caused by BBMP's negligence. There is also an ongoing court case regarding this matter."

“While it’s being seen as a new sightseeing spot, this highlights serious issues in Bengaluru’s infrastructure and drainage systems,” an X account chronicling Karnataka updates tweeted, calling on authorities to address these recurring problems.

A part of an embankment wall at a construction site inside #Manyata tech park collapsed after heavy inflow of rain water weakened it. #Bengaluru #BengaluruRain pic.twitter.com/ErAkNXuUgG
Anil Budur Lulla (@anil_lulla) October 16, 2024

On Tuesday, a tree was uprooted near Ebisu Tech Park, within the same Manyata campus and close to the under-construction site, after the soil gave way.

The Manyata Tech Park, a 330-acre tech village, near Hebbal on the Outer Ring Road, home to several Fortune 500 companies, was severely waterlogged on Tuesday following heavy rains that lashed the city.

Many companies in the tech park instructed employees to stay in office till the roads are clear. Employees also requested remote working to avoid waterlogging and traffic.

Embassy REIT, the real estate company behind Manyata Tech Park, clarified in a statement on LinkedIn that the wall collapse videos, circulating on social media did not happen in their properties. They added that the waterlogging was clear within 2-4 hours and business continued as usual post 6pm.

Bengaluru has been grappling with poor drainage and urban planning for years, and every monsoon season highlights these weaknesses. Residents are growing frustrated as waterlogging disrupts daily life, from commuting to accessing key commercial hubs like the Phoenix Mall of Asia.

North #Bengaluru's iconic landmark's back entry #BengaluruRains pic.twitter.com/mEBbxoghhV
Anil Budur Lulla (@anil_lulla) October 15, 2024

Phoenix Mall representatives confirmed to Moneycontrol that the situation is now under control. The water has been pumped out and the mall is now accessible to customers.

The mall, which opened in 2023, is among the largest in Bengaluru. However, it has been no stranger to controversy. Soon after its inauguration, Bengaluru police had ordered the mall’s closure for 15 days, citing massive traffic jams caused by its unplanned parking spaces. Residents and authorities have long raised concerns about the mall’s location and its contribution to traffic in North Bengaluru.

severe weather take extra care,,@CPBlr, @Jointcptraffic , @blrcitytraffic, @BlrCityPolice #BeARoadSafetySuperHero#FollowTrafficRules#DcpTrafficWest#DriveSafellyWhileRainfall pic.twitter.com/3tDs4i7fgF
DCP TRAFFIC WEST (@DCPTrWestBCP) October 16, 2024

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the city, forecasting more rain over the next 24 hours. The Bengaluru Urban District collector announced a holiday for all schools and colleges on Wednesday, preparing for the possibility of further disruptions.

The incidents have sparked public outrage, with many Bengaluru residents blaming poor infrastructure rather than the weather. “We should not blame rain for this. This is due to the poor drainage system,” one tweet read, with others pointing out that construction work, especially around metro lines, has contributed to the blockage of drains in key areas.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath visited Kendriya Vihar apartment in Yelahanka & instructed officials to take immediate steps to resolve waterlogging issue (3 feet deep)2 tractors have been arranged for apartment residents @BBMPCOMM pic.twitter.com/yCTnlMOCZgChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) October 16, 2024

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath visited Kendriya Vihar apartment in Yelahanka and instructed officials to take immediate steps to resolve the 3-feet waterlogging issue in the area.