The heavy spell of rainfall that has left residents of low-lying areas in Bengaluru struggling with waterlogging and related issues is expected to continue till Tuesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an ‘orange’ alert, indicating heavy rainfall, across the state.

Heavy rainfall was reported across most areas in Bengaluru between Sunday evening and early on Monday morning, with Rajarajeshwari Nagar recording 132 mm – the highest across Karnataka for the day. Multiple areas across the city received over 100 mm of rain.

While the intensity of rainfall is forecast to subside by Tuesday in Southern Karnataka districts, including Bengaluru, in Northern Karnataka, the orange alert will be applicable till Thursday. Earlier, the IMD had issued a ‘yellow’ alert for Bengaluru till Friday.

Apart from Rajarajeshwari Nagar in South Bengaluru, parts of North Bengaluru such as Vaderahalli received 131.5 mm rainfall, Chikkabanavara 127 mm and Somashettihalli 119.5 mm. The least rainfall received in Bengaluru was 32 mm at Gottigere, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Cell data.

Among the worst-hit regions of Bengaluru was Sai Layout at Mahadevapura zone which was completely inundated. Two boats of the State Disaster Response Force were pushed into service to rescue the inhabitants. Waterlogging was reported in around 10 areas of the Mahadevapura zone in Bengaluru due to the showers.

At Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone, five cattle died after stormwater flowed in reverse due to increased water level in the Vrishabhavathi River. Water also entered 12 houses and was cleared later. In the East Zone, the 55th, 6th, 7th and 8th blocks of HRBR Layout, Byrasandra Layout, and a few low-lying roads were submerged. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) deployed six teams with two earth movers and 10 pumps to clear the water. Due to the heavy showers, all 29 lakes in Yelahanka zone are filled to the brim, a release by the BBMP said.

With the latest spell, the state has already received more than double the normal rainfall from May 1 to May 19. For instance, Bengaluru Urban district, which usually records around 100 mm rainfall during the period, has received more than 235 mm as of Monday morning.

👁 bengaluru rains

Earlier in the day, Bengaluru City police issued a traffic advisory warning of disruptions in northern areas, including New Bel Road, Nagawara, Sarayipalya, and Allalasandra to Yelahanka Circle. Several major roads in Bengaluru experienced waterlogging, resulting in damage to multiple houses as well.

Many residents took to social media criticising the city’s poor infrastructure and the apathy of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Karnataka government towards the issue. Over 19 trees were uprooted across the city during the rainfall, leading to significant disruption.

On Sunday, BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao visited the areas which were inundated after the rainfall on Saturday and said the Bengaluru Development Authority will install temporary systems in select areas as an interim measure, and a meeting will be held with officials to address concerns promptly.