A relentless spell of rain that lasted over six hours between Sunday night and Monday morning led to widespread waterlogging in Bengaluru, throwing daily life into disarray. The downpour one of the heaviest this year flooded several low-lying areas, bringing traffic to a grinding halt and damaging property.
Bengaluru has been battered by heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours, with many social media users calling it the city’s most intense downpour of 2024. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for 23 districts across Karnataka, including Bengaluru.
Kengeri and Vaderahalli Among Worst Hit
According to the Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Cell, Kengeri recorded the highest rainfall at 132 mm, followed closely by Vaderahalli in northern Bengaluru at 131.5 mm. Several other parts of the city also experienced more than 100 mm of rain overnight. The downpour caused tree branches to collapse and vehicles to stall, exacerbating the city’s already infamous traffic congestion.
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Two essentials every Bengalurean should add to their wishlist:
🔹Tractor 🚜 – for potholes and crater-filled roads
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Our cameraman @robert_mc76 is on the #BengaluruRains trail in Hennur & Horamavu.
⁰#Bengaluru #RainHavoc pic.twitter.com/IoZLUzjHE2— BengaluruPost (@bengalurupost1) May 19, 2025
MLA Rides JCB to Inspect Waterlogged Areas
In response to the flooding, local MLA B Basavraj visited Sai Layout on Monday, navigating through the submerged locality in a JCB. Civic authorities are now using heavy machinery to pump out water from residential areas and clear clogged streets.
Internet Reacts to Bengaluru’s ‘Venice’ Moment
Frustrated citizens took to social media to express their anger and despair. One user wrote, “Venice is built in #BrandBengaluru by our visionary leaders and highly efficient & honest @BBMPCOMM officials, plan your commute only through boats.”
Another remarked, “I’ve never ever seen such a pathetic condition in Bengaluru. BBMP is not collecting and disposing of collected waste. Rainwater spreading waste across Bengaluru.”
A third post read, “Heavily depressed by the #Bengaluru rain pictures in X on Monday morning. Imagine the plight of commuters. We deserve better infrastructure & governance.”
Traffic Advisory Issued
The Bengaluru City Police released a traffic advisory warning commuters about severe waterlogging in parts of northern Bengaluru. Affected routes include New Bel Road toward Ayyappa Temple, Nagawara Bus Stop toward Sarayapalya, and Allasandra to Yelahanka Circle.
Authorities are continuing relief operations as more rainfall is expected in the coming days.
