AgenciesContinuous rains in Bengaluru have caused severe flooding and waterlogging across many parts of the city. Social media posts reveal roads submerged under water, affecting daily life in India’s technology capital. Amid growing concerns, Zerodha-backed investor Dilip Kumar posted a message online, questioning the lack of basic urban planning in a city known for its startup ecosystem.Kumar posted on X (formerly Twitter) during a traffic jam caused by waterlogging. Sharing a video showing vehicles passing through a flooded road, he wrote, “We’ve got AI to detect cancer, drone delivery for biryani and apps to schedule your pet’s meditation session. But no clue how to build a decent drainage system. And this is the tech capital of the country. Who’s to blame and who’s accountable- I honestly don’t know.”
He added, “Maybe it’s the system or it’s us. Maybe we were too busy building unicorns to notice the roads turning into rivers. One thing is for sure that the ESOPs, villas, and startup exits won’t buy us a shortcut through this mess.”
The post received many reactions from other users. One user wrote, “Startups thrive on urgency. Occasional problems like Bangalore’s waterlogging won’t cut it.”
A third post stated, “It’s actually very simple to understand. We missed the basics. You first build a foundation and then build skyscrapers over it slowly. We jumped from agriculture to IT directly. And now it cannot be reset. This problem may be solved by focusing on a new city. But everyone is obsessed with two or three cities.”Another user added, “You can't build a drainage system when you have built skyscrapers on drains and lakes.”The recurring flooding in Bengaluru has renewed discussions around how Indian cities are growing without proper planning. The heavy rainfall has again highlighted the need for long-term solutions to basic civic issues in cities that drive India’s technology growth.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru and 22 other districts in Karnataka, warning of more rain this week. The advisory, active through Thursday, predicts moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching up to 60 km/h. The IMD has advised residents, especially those in low-lying areas, to stay alert and avoid unnecessary movement during severe weather.
On Sunday, Bengaluru recorded nearly 40 mm of rainfall in just one day. Several parts of the city, including Sai Layout, saw water enter homes, damaging personal belongings. Streets remained waterlogged, turning daily commutes into difficult journeys. Public transport services were disrupted, with delays and diversions reported across the city. The situation has left many residents frustrated, particularly those who travel regularly for work and school.The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and city traffic police have activated emergency control rooms and started deploying water pumps in flooded areas. Officials are monitoring areas prone to tree falls and have asked citizens to report emergencies immediately. People have also been advised to stay indoors during heavy rainfall unless travel is absolutely necessary.Meteorologists say the ongoing weather is caused by a cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Bay of Bengal, which is also affecting Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. A trough running from Telangana to northern Tamil Nadu is pulling in moisture from the Bay of Bengal, leading to continued rainfall in southern India.The IMD has also issued guidance for farmers and fishermen across Karnataka. Those involved in agriculture and coastal activities have been asked to take precautions as further rain could impact crops and fishing operations. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the wet conditions are expected to persist through the week.
He added, “Maybe it’s the system or it’s us. Maybe we were too busy building unicorns to notice the roads turning into rivers. One thing is for sure that the ESOPs, villas, and startup exits won’t buy us a shortcut through this mess.”
The post received many reactions from other users. One user wrote, “Startups thrive on urgency. Occasional problems like Bangalore’s waterlogging won’t cut it.”
Another responded, “Spot on. The real irony is, we’re building AI empires but can’t build a proper drainage system. That’s because, as a country, we’ve never prioritised urban planning. It’s not glamorous, doesn’t get VC funding, and rarely wins elections. But it decides the quality of life for millions.”
A third post stated, “It’s actually very simple to understand. We missed the basics. You first build a foundation and then build skyscrapers over it slowly. We jumped from agriculture to IT directly. And now it cannot be reset. This problem may be solved by focusing on a new city. But everyone is obsessed with two or three cities.”Another user added, “You can't build a drainage system when you have built skyscrapers on drains and lakes.”The recurring flooding in Bengaluru has renewed discussions around how Indian cities are growing without proper planning. The heavy rainfall has again highlighted the need for long-term solutions to basic civic issues in cities that drive India’s technology growth.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru and 22 other districts in Karnataka, warning of more rain this week. The advisory, active through Thursday, predicts moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching up to 60 km/h. The IMD has advised residents, especially those in low-lying areas, to stay alert and avoid unnecessary movement during severe weather.
On Sunday, Bengaluru recorded nearly 40 mm of rainfall in just one day. Several parts of the city, including Sai Layout, saw water enter homes, damaging personal belongings. Streets remained waterlogged, turning daily commutes into difficult journeys. Public transport services were disrupted, with delays and diversions reported across the city. The situation has left many residents frustrated, particularly those who travel regularly for work and school.The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and city traffic police have activated emergency control rooms and started deploying water pumps in flooded areas. Officials are monitoring areas prone to tree falls and have asked citizens to report emergencies immediately. People have also been advised to stay indoors during heavy rainfall unless travel is absolutely necessary.Meteorologists say the ongoing weather is caused by a cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Bay of Bengal, which is also affecting Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. A trough running from Telangana to northern Tamil Nadu is pulling in moisture from the Bay of Bengal, leading to continued rainfall in southern India.The IMD has also issued guidance for farmers and fishermen across Karnataka. Those involved in agriculture and coastal activities have been asked to take precautions as further rain could impact crops and fishing operations. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the wet conditions are expected to persist through the week.
