Bengaluru, often hailed as India’s Silicon Valley, has been battered by unusually heavy pre-monsoon rains, leaving large parts of the city submerged. Monday’s downpour, measuring over 100 mm (4 inches), marks the city’s highest single-day rainfall since 2011. The intense weather has triggered severe waterlogging, damaged infrastructure, and tragically claimed the lives of three people, including a 12-year-old boy. City authorities have now issued a high alert as more rain is expected due to cyclonic activity over the Andaman Sea.
The floods have caused widespread disruption to daily life. Major tech companies in Bengaluru, home to many global IT firms, have instructed employees to work from home due to impassable roads and traffic gridlocks. In a heartbreaking incident, the compound wall of the i-Zed software company collapsed in one of the city’s busiest IT corridors, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old female employee. Videos circulating online show residents and commuters trudging through knee-deep water, with parked cars submerged and rainwater invading homes in several areas.
Despite the chaos, local officials are trying to reassure the public. Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that efforts are ongoing to manage the crisis, with the city corporation working non-stop in 210 identified flood-prone zones. “There is no need for panic,” he said. However, with the possibility of more rain on the horizon, residents are urged to stay cautious. As Bengaluru faces the realities of climate change and urban flooding, the focus now shifts to improving the city’s resilience against extreme weather events.
