The rains on Thursday led to dip in mercury levels as the maximum temperature in Bengaluru city was 28.5°C. 
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Exactly 10 days after the first heavy rainfall exposed the lacuna in Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure, the rainfall on Thursday again converted the city’s roads into puddles and led to traffic jams even during non-peak hours in the afternoon. 

The IMD station in Bengaluru city recorded 4.3 mm rainfall, the HAL airport station and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) station recorded 38.8 mm and 22.4 mm rainfall, respectively, till 5.30 p.m. on Thursday.  

The rains resulted in a dip in the mercury levels as the maximum temperature in Bengaluru city was 28.5°C. At HAL airport and KIA, the maximum temperatures were 28.3°C and 30.4°C, respectively. 

While cloudy weather persisted from morning, by afternoon, many localities, especially in East Bengaluru received moderate to heavy rainfall. As a result, Inner Ring Road, Old Madras Road, Old Airport Road, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur, Domlur, Jeevan Bima Nagar, Kasturinagar, Vasanth Nagar, Kadugodi, Madiwala, Silk Board, BTM Layout, Tin Factory, and parts of Outer Ring Road were severely waterlogged, causing inconvenience to motorists. 

A total of 12 trees and 41 branches fell across the eight divisions of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), including a tree which fell in Rajajinagar 10th Main, damaging three cars and two two-wheelers. The fallen trees and branches also caused traffic snarls in several areas, while overflowing manholes let out sewage water on to the roads. 

“Many roads between Thippasandra and Jeevan Bima Nagar were inundated as it rained a lot in a short duration. However, worse was the overflowing manholes in Indiranagar and Thippasandra. There was a power cut as soon as it started raining and I had to postpone a dental appointment. Clearly, one rain can show us the problems with every civic department in the city,” said Ishanvi D.V., resident of Thippasandra. 

BBMP Commissioner holds meeting to tackle monsoon issues 

BBMP Chief Civic Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath held a meeting on Thursday and instructed officers to take precautionary steps to avoid problems in the monsoon season. 

While there are 209 flood-affected areas in Bengaluru, Mr. Giri Nath said measures were already taken in 166 spots. He directed the officials to personally visit and take appropriate action in the remaining spots. 

“Appropriate measures should be taken in areas which were vulnerable during the last monsoon season to avoid problems this time. Accordingly, complete the works in Sai Layout, Pai Layout, Kendriya Vihar Apartment, Kogilu Cross, Sarjapur Road (Iblur Junction), Abbigere Kere Kodi, Mysore Road, Gali Anjaneya Swamy Temple, and other places before the onset of the monsoon season,” Mr. Giri Nath directed officials.  

He also instructed the engineers to inspect the 180 waterlogging spots on major roads, which have been identified by the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and take measures to prevent waterlogging, including cleaning of waste from the grates installed on the road side.  

IMD forecasts rain on Friday 

The IMD forecast for Bengaluru city and the neighbourhood for the next 36 hours is generally cloudy sky, moderate rain with gusty wind 30-40 kmph likely to occur in some areas. 

“Maximum and minimum temperatures are very likely to be around 29°C and 20°C, respectively,” IMD said.