South India has been struggling with the destructive power of continuous rain for the last few days. Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are all suffering from nature’s wrath as waterlogged roads, crumbling infrastructure, and loss of precious lives are being witnessed. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a string of warnings, indicating sustained weather issues in the region.
Bengaluru Fights Flooding After Heavy Rain
The capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru, was severely affected. Heavy rains caused critical waterlogging, particularly in important zones such as Silk Board Junction, Hosur Road, and BTM Layout. People waded through knee-deep water, and traffic congestion paralyzed the city.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had previously identified 210 areas of flooding risk in the city and said that “most of the work had been completed,” with 197 km of stormwater drains built at a cost of ₹2,000 crore. And yet, despite these investments, the city witnessed three rain-related fatalities within 36 hours.
Unfortunately, 63-year-old Manmohan Kamath and 12-year-old Dinesh were electrocuted when attempting to drain water at an apartment complex. “When he plugged the pump into a socket, there was a short circuit which led to his death,” police confirmed. Another death took place when a wall fell on a 35-year-old housekeeping employee in Mahadevapura.
Kerala on Edge Amid Red Alerts for Rain
Kerala too has been battered by relentless rains, with the IMD issuing red alert for Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority cautioned, “This is extremely heavy rainfall,” and pointed to a higher likelihood of landslides and mudslides in hill slopes. People in low-lying areas were advised to move to relief camps.
Encouragingly, the IMD declared that southwest monsoon conditions might make their entry into Kerala within the coming four to five days, making it the earliest monsoon arrival since 2009. This will also signal the onset of seasonal rains for large parts of southern India.
Tamil Nadu Reports Deaths as Rain Continues
Heavy rain with squally winds was reported from various areas of Tamil Nadu. A heart-rending tragedy occurred in the Madurai district during the rains. Three people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed when the wall of a house came crashing down. “The victims were sitting outside the entrance in the absence of a power supply, and part of the wall fell on them,” said Superintendent Arvind.
IMD predictions suggest Chennai and surrounding regions will experience rain until May 26, with thunderstorms and cloudy weather predicted.
Immediate Demand for Climate-Responsive Infrastructure
Southern states continue to experience severe weather. These incidents highlight the imperative of having resilient urban infrastructure and efficient disaster management. Although early warning systems and notifications are crucial, proactive planning and public awareness are the most important in reducing losses in the future.
