Early Monday, heavy rains left Bengaluru paralyzed, with city streets resembling rivers and residents grappling to cope. The deluge resulted in severe traffic congestion, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to traverse the city. In response, the Bengaluru Traffic Police issued advisories, alerting commuters to the difficulties caused by the waterlogged roads. One commuter shared his experience on X, stating that he had boarded a bus from Electronic City to Silk Board at 5 am and, despite hours passing, had still not reached his destination by 8 am.
Sridhar Swaminathan responded to a post from the Madivala Traffic Police Station on X, which had issued a traffic advisory in Kannada about severe waterlogging on Hosur Road. The post, accompanied by pictures and videos of vehicles struggling through the flooded road, stated, “Water logging on Hosur main road from Bommanahalli to Silk Board Junction and from Silk Board Junction to Bommanahalli Rupena Agrahara is causing slow movement of traffic in and out of the city and motorists are using alternative roads.”
ಹೊಸೂರು ಮುಖ್ಯರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೊಮ್ಮನಹಳ್ಳಿಯಿಂದ ಸಿಲ್ಕ್ ಬೋರ್ಡ್ ಜಂಕ್ಷನ್ ವರೆಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಿಲ್ಕ್ ಬೋರ್ಡ್ ಜಂಕ್ಷನ್ ನಿಂದ ಬೊಮ್ಮನಹಳ್ಳಿ ರೂಪೇನ ಅಗ್ರಹಾರದವರೆಗೆ ವಾಟರ್ ಲಾಗಿಂಗ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದು ನಗರದ ಒಳಭಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊರಭಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಸಂಚಾರ ನಿಧಾನಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದು ವಾಹನ ಸವಾರರು ಬದಲಿ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸುವುದು. pic.twitter.com/hZy5esHzNv
— MADIVALA TRAFFIC BTP (@madivalatrfps) August 12, 2024
In his response, Swaminathan voiced his frustration, stating, “Public are stuck in traffic from Electronic City from 5 am. Yet to reach the silkboard. It’s more than 3 hrs. Can you manage the traffic better please.”
Public are stuck in traffic from Electronic City from 5 am. Yet to reach silkboard. It’s more than 3 hrs. Can you manage the traffic better please
— Sridhar Swaminathan (@sridharSwamina1) August 12, 2024
In a separate tweet addressed to the Bengaluru Traffic Police, he wrote, “Sir what cooperation you need. We are stuck in traffic from 5:30. Yet to reach the Silk Board. People need patience not cooperation. Pl your proactive action will help to regulate the congestion rather than posting photos after 2 hrs.”
Sir what cooperation you need. We are stuck in traffic from 5 30. Yet to reach Silk Board. People needs patience not cooperation. Pl your proactive action will help to regulate the congestion rather than posting photo after 2 hrs
— Sridhar Swaminathan (@sridharSwamina1) August 12, 2024
In separate tweets, Swaminathan highlighted the challenges faced by others, especially elderly individuals, who were struggling to endure the extended delay.
Another X user jokingly remarked on a photo of the long traffic lines, asking, “Hope u packed enough breakfast + lunch and maybe dinner for the loong ride to work today?” Swaminathan responded, “You can plan for your intakes. How about nature’s call. Had a very bad day. The bus from Electronic City to Silk Board took 3 hrs. In the bus there are a lot of aged travellers also finding it very difficult.”
You can plan for your intakes. How about natures call. Had a very bad day in bus from Electronic City to Silk Board took 3 hrs. In the bus there are lot of aged travellers also finding very difficult.
— Sridhar Swaminathan (@sridharSwamina1) August 12, 2024
At the same time, another Bengaluru resident mentioned that their children took over two hours to reach their destination due to the severe traffic and waterlogging.
@BengaluruRains @ECityRising Overnight rain and city is crawling like GOV!
Kids reached school in 2 hours
NH44 is JAM @NHAI_Official
Basement, Roads, Flyovers are flooded
Alternate roads have Crater size potholes
NO Rain water sewage
NO foot paths;Muddy slippery road to walk!— PV (@parmod1979) August 12, 2024
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that Bengaluru will likely see light showers until August 15, with heavier rainfall expected to begin on August 16 and continue through August 17.
