Sign in

Overnight rain floods Bengaluru roads, traffic police issue multiple advisories amid morning chaos

Bengaluru faces flooding at key junctions, disrupting traffic and prompting advisories from authorities.

Published on: May 19, 2025, 08:36:35 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

A fresh spell of heavy overnight rain on Sunday wreaked havoc across Bengaluru, leading to severe waterlogging in several parts of the city and bringing Monday morning traffic to a near standstill. As thousands of office-goers hit the roads, many were met with flooded junctions and bottlenecked routes, leaving traffic personnel struggling to manage the chaos on the ground.

Overnight Bengaluru rains flood roads across the city, creating massive traffic chaos in several roads.
Overnight Bengaluru rains flood roads across the city, creating massive traffic chaos in several roads.

Also Read - Bengaluru roads drown again: Knee-deep water after brief rain leaves commuters frustrated

Key intersections across the city, particularly in north and east Bengaluru — areas that house several IT parks and corporate hubs — were inundated, resembling flowing streams rather than arterial roads.

Police issue traffic advisories

With traffic crawling on key stretches, the Bengaluru Traffic Police issued multiple advisories, warning commuters about waterlogged roads and urging them to drive with caution. The advisory highlighted slow-moving traffic and water accumulation in several critical areas, including:

New BEL Road near Ayyappa Temple

Nagawara Bus Stop heading towards Sarayipalya

Allasandra to Yelahanka Circle corridor

In addition, the notorious Panathur Road underbridge (RUB), which often bears the brunt of rains, was once again submerged on Monday morning. This vital stretch, used by hundreds of tech employees daily, prompted yet another advisory:

"Water logging reported at Balagere T Cross en route to Panathur RUB. Commuters advised to take alternate routes. Drive cautiously and maintain safe distance. Dial 112 for emergencies."

The Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru’s already overburdened IT corridor, also saw widespread waterlogging at key choke points. Areas flagged by the police included:

Silk Board to Agara Signal

Kensington Road toward Gurudwara

Silk Board to Bellandur

Lowry Railway Underpass to Mahadevapura

Also Read - iPhones made in Bengaluru: Foxconn’s Devanahalli unit set to begin shipments by June

According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), parts of Bengaluru recorded rainfall totals not seen in decades for the month of May. The Bengaluru Urban zone logged 132 mm of rainfall overnight, while the observatory in Somasettihalli, under Bengaluru North, registered 119 mm.

Meteorologists noted that these rainfall levels are among the highest recorded in May in recent history — a rare phenomenon that underscores the increasing unpredictability of the city’s weather patterns.

With civic infrastructure once again under strain, residents took to social media to share videos of submerged roads and stranded vehicles, renewing calls for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ramp up monsoon preparedness.

Despite repeated assurances from civic authorities, the city’s flood-prone zones continue to remain vulnerable even after moderate spells of rain. Monday's disruptions highlighted the urgent need for long-term drainage solutions and better coordination between weather forecasting agencies and civic bodies.

  • HT News Desk
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    HT News Desk

    Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.