Heavy Rain Triggers Waterlogging, Traffic Chaos in Bengaluru; Schools To Remain Shut Today

Heavy rains continued to lash Bengaluru on Monday morning, flooding several roads and inundating the basements of a few apartments. Similar conditions were witnessed on Sunday when the city came to a standstill.

In view of the heavy rain battering the city, the District collector announced a holiday for all schools and Anganwadis in the city on Monday, October 21.

“Due to continuous rain in Bengaluru Urban district, a holiday has been declared on October 21 for all Anganwadi centres, as well as private and aided primary and high schools, as a precautionary measure in the interest of students,” the official statement said.

The decision was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff amid the ongoing weather conditions, which have caused waterlogging and traffic disruptions across several parts of Bengaluru.

All other degree courses postgraduate, diploma, engineering, and ITI institutions have not been given holiday, as per the official order. College heads have been asked to assess the condition of their buildings and avoid using those that are weak or dilapidated.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bengaluru has issued an ‘orange alert’ for heavy rains over the next three hours across the city. The weather bureau predicted moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers, accompanied by lightning, in the coming hours.

Netizens React To Waterlogged Roads

The Bengaluru residents took to X and shared their concerns as heavy rain hit the city on Monday morning. One user shared a recorded video of the inundated Outer Ring Road (ORR) and advised residents to not venture out.

“This is now on a stretch of ORR which usually doesn’t get inundated. Anyone who does not need to be out on the roads, please do not venture,” an X user wrote.

Another user highlighted that in the aftermath of the heavy rain, low-lying areas witnessed waterlogging with drains overflowing in several parts of the city. “Though heavy water logging in low-lying places. Drains are overflowing! Mini river streams on the road,” the X user wrote.

The Bengaluru Traffic Police has issued multiple advisories alerting commuters to waterlogging and slow-moving traffic in various parts of the city. Several important routes are impacted by rainwater accumulation, resulting in significant disruptions.