Bengaluru, May 21 – Torrential rains battered the southern Indian city of Bengaluru overnight, killing at least three people and flooding more than 500 homes, officials said on Monday, as residents braced for another five days of heavy downpours.
Triggered by the convergence of two low-pressure systems, the rains dumped 130 mm of precipitation across the city in just 12 hours from Sunday evening, making it the second-highest recorded rainfall in a decade, according to city authorities.
“This was an extraordinary event. Sometimes, things get out of hand; we are working on it,” Maheshwar Rao, chief commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), told reporters.
The deluge left parts of south, north, and eastern Bengaluru inundated, submerging roads in several upscale neighbourhoods and bringing traffic to a standstill. Authorities closed multiple underpasses and flyovers due to waterlogging, while miles-long traffic snarls crippled movement across the city.
Public bus services were suspended in several areas, and at least 20 lakes were reported to be at risk of overflowing, further heightening flood concerns. Emergency response teams were deployed to pump out water and assist affected residents.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast more heavy rainfall over Bengaluru for the next five days, warning residents to remain alert to potential flash floods and further disruptions.
Known as India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru has struggled in recent years with poor drainage and rapid urbanisation, leaving its infrastructure vulnerable to extreme weather events. Local authorities said damage assessments were underway, and relief measures were being coordinated, including the provision of temporary shelters and food supplies for those displaced by the flooding.
