The residents of Kendriya Vihar Apartment in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka, a community largely composed of retired central government employees, never imagined they would be rescued from their homes by tractors. The torrential downpour, however, turned their dream into a stark reality. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was forced to deploy two tractors on Wednesday to rescue residents trapped in their apartments, which were submerged under nearly three feet of water.
The relentless rainfall, particularly heavy on Tuesday, led to severe waterlogging across the city, transforming roads into rivers. Areas like Varthur, Hebbal, Kadubeesanahalli, and the Outer Ring Road (ORR) were severely affected, with tech hubs in Sarjapur also bearing the brunt of the floods. Trees in areas like Syndicate Bank Colony in Banashankari were uprooted, further highlighting the severity of the situation.
The apartment complex, situated adjacent to Yelahanka Lake, was particularly vulnerable. Vehicles parked within the complex were submerged in knee-deep water, highlighting the widespread impact of the downpour.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, who visited the flooded apartment building, emphasized the use of tractors to ensure the safe entry and exit of residents. He also revealed that the civic body is constructing a temporary drain on private land to facilitate water drainage and providing residents with essential supplies like drinking water, milk, bread, and biscuits.
The city received an alarming 50 to 60 mm of rain between 8 AM and 6 PM on Tuesday, turning irrigation canals into raging stormwater drains. Experts point to recent construction on the outskirts of the city, which has narrowed drainage systems and exacerbated the situation.
The incessant flooding has sparked widespread calls for a permanent solution to the problem. Sunil Kumar Uppala, a scientist, took to social media to express his concerns, stating, “We need a permanent solution on Balagere Road to have basic infra. Kids were dropped off in tractors today. No proper drains and no proper roads. Where our tax money is going? Request immediate action from authorities.”
Adding to the city’s woes, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared an Orange alert for Bengaluru on Wednesday, predicting further heavy rainfall. The Karnataka government, anticipating the ongoing deluge, declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
As Bengaluru battles the relentless rain, the city’s residents hope that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to address the infrastructure deficiencies that have left them vulnerable to such recurring floods.