BENGALURU: A 32-year-old woman died after a wall collapsed on her near a semiconductor firm in Whitefield Industrial Area in Bengaluru as heavy pre-monsoon rains threw life into chaos, with waterlogged roads, flooded underpasses, and traffic jams paralysing the city. Over the past few days, the city has witnessed cloudbursts with 15 to 20cm of rainfall, disrupting normal life, especially in low-lying areas.

According to state home minister G Parameshwara, Bengaluru has been experiencing heavy rains for the last three days. He acknowledged that such flooding and waterlogging are typical during the pre-monsoon season, and assured citizens that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is actively working to clear the waterlogged roads and uprooted trees.

However, despite these efforts, Bengaluru’s roads have become nearly impassable. Commuters are facing significant challenges, especially with underpasses submerged in water, making traffic conditions more dangerous.Also See:Bengaluru Heavy RainfallSocial media platforms have been flooded with videos showing roads completely waterlogged, further exacerbating the chaos. Hobby weather watchers have even suggested work-from-home policies, as commuting becomes not only difficult but hazardous.

A picture shared by the Bengaluru Corporate Club’s official handle on 'X' (formerly Twitter) showed a traffic jam at the Silk Board junction, one of the city’s notorious bottlenecks, stretching nearly 10 km. The congestion occurred at 7.20am on Monday, a time typically considered non-peak hours, signaling just how severe the traffic disruptions have become.

In addition to the already strained traffic conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru and surrounding areas, warning of continued heavy rainfall for the next two days.

The alert, which was first issued on May 18, also applies to 23 districts across Karnataka, including Bengaluru, and forecasts moderate to heavy rain, thunder showers, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 km/h.Bengaluru has already seen 103mm of rain in the last 24 hours, according to IMD reports. The rainfall has led to severe waterlogging in several parts of the city, particularly in low-lying areas such as Sai Layout in Horamavu, where streets were submerged in 4-5 feet of water.

Local residents have expressed frustration over clogged drains, claiming their repeated complaints to the authorities regarding maintenance have gone unaddressed.The rainstorm has also caused property damage, with an uprooted tree in Jayanagar falling on a parked car and a jeep. Another tree fell on East End Road near Mount Carmel School, temporarily closing the road. As waterlogged roads have slowed down traffic throughout the city, commuters have been seen pushing their vehicles through knee-deep water in areas like Panathur S Cross, Domlur Flyover, and Koramangala.

Traffic congestion is also reported near Manyata Tech Park, a key tech hub in the city.

Despite the traffic police issuing regular warnings about slow-moving traffic, the situation remains dire. Residents continue to struggle with the conditions, as flooded roads have made it nearly impossible to commute, further complicating an already challenging pre-monsoon season.As the situation persists, the IMD has indicated that the inclement weather conditions are driven by a cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Bay of Bengal, which is pulling in moisture and intensifying rainfall across southern India. While the immediate impact on Bengaluru remains significant, other parts of Karnataka, especially the coastal regions and the Malenadu area, have also experienced substantial rainfall.(With agency inputs)