It’s raining woes for Bengalureans

Bengaluru: Monday’s heavy downpour exposed the BBMP’s ineptitude in handling rain-related problems. Drains were overflowing, trees fallen on the road and stagnant water collected at the entry and exit points of flyovers and underpasses, all of which were flooded.

The BBMP had failed to desilt the drains before the onset of the monsoon, leading to flooding and inundation of low-lying areas. The apathy of BBMP officials in pruning trees, coupled with heavy rain and gusty winds led to their uprooting, which is a common phenomenon during pre-monsoon showers.

On Monday night, these overflowing drains and upended  trees paralyzed the traffic on city roads. Those returning home from hectic office schedules had a harrowing time reaching home.

Although the Met department issued warning signals over the monsoon cloudburst, the BBMP claims the monsoon has still not set into the city.

On Monday night, the city received 20 mm rainfall. The heavy downpour uprooted at least 60 trees in Benglauru East, West and South zones.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic was reported in areas like Jayanagar, Koramangala, Shanthi Nagar, Richmond Road and Wilson Garden. The woes of Monday monsoon showers extended to Tuesday afternoon. The BBMP struggled to clear the crashed trees in Jayanagar and Koramangala, resulting in traffic diversions.

The Jayanagar traffic police said that minor accidents were reported in Jayanagar 9th Block though no cases were registered.