Video: Commuters get out of vehicles and return home as Bengaluru flyover traffic halts due to heavy rain

Last update:October 24, 2024, 2:06 pm IST

People expressed their outrage on social media as they were stranded for three hours on Bengaluru’s Electronic City flyover due to heavy rains.

Heavy rains paralyzed traffic on the Electronic City flyover in Bengaluru. (Photo: X)

Bengaluru’s infamous traffic jams were back in the headlines on Wednesday when heavy rain brought the Electronic City flyover to a standstill, causing thousands of commuters who had been waiting for hours to abandon their vehicles and walk home.

Videos flooded social media on Wednesday as people expressed their anguish after waiting up to three hours on the flyover. As the city reeled under heavy rains, the Bengaluru Traffic Police closed one side of the flyover to prevent further congestion, according to reports.

“Completely stuck for the last 1.5 hours on #electroniccity flyover. I must have reached my house now, which is 30 km away. Disconnected at 5:20am and we are still stuck! We can see most employees of various companies getting frustrated and starting to walk,” said an individual on social media platform X.

“Stuck on NH44 for over 2 hours, barely covering 5 km. This has to be one of the worst traffic jams I have ever experienced. The usual 1-hour stretch from Krishnagiri to Hosur (50 km) is now crossing 2 hours. Absolute nightmare!” said another user.

Earlier, heavy rains in Bengaluru on Monday – the heaviest in nearly three decades – caused severe waterlogging in several parts of the city. There was a huge traffic jam on many important roads on Tuesday. Ballari Road, leading to Kempegowda International Airport, witnessed blockages for several kilometres. Tumakuru Road, Old Madras Road and Kanakapura Road also suffered severe traffic congestion.

‘BENGALURU HAS NOT WITNESSED SO MUCH RAIN IN 120 YEARS’: DY CM

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday inspected the Kendriya Vihara residential complex in Yalahanka suburb of Benglauru, which was flooded with rainwater, along with other officials of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) , where he said that the city had not witnessed such unprecedented rainfall in the last 120 years.

“We never predicted such heavy rain. I have never seen such rains in the last 115 to 120 years. We are identifying areas where water is entering and taking steps to ensure smooth water flow,” he said. The Deputy CM said that temporary accommodation and food measures will be taken for those who lost their homes.

Shivakumar also announced that compensation of Rs 5 lakh will be provided by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to the families of the two children who drowned in Kengeri Lake. Additionally, compensation of Rs 10,000 will be given to each flood-affected family.

BJP SLAMS CONGRESS ON WATERING

Bengaluru North has been facing severe flooding following a severe storm that swept through the region last night. While Kendriya Vihar apartments were initially recognized as the most affected, other areas of Yelahanka also faced flooding following heavy rain overnight, leaving residents unable to leave their homes for days.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka, accusing it of negligence. “No measures were taken by the government to prevent flooding. We left with good water plans. The floodgate proposal was not implemented by this government. This government is sleeping,” said BJP leader CN Ashwath Narayan.

Bengaluru has become hostage to monsoon rains in recent years, with flooded roads, uprooted trees and blocked drains becoming an annual occurrence in the city of 14 million people. As of Tuesday, Bengaluru had received 211.7 mm of rain this month, almost double the rainfall normally seen during this period, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

About 18 km from the town of Babusapalya, heavy rains collapsed a building under construction, killing eight workers and injuring six. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims, while CM Siddaramaiah announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh.

(with contributions from agencies)

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