5 reported dead after widespread floods hit Bengaluru, India
Five people were confirmed dead in Bengaluru on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, following three days of intense rainfall that led to widespread flooding across the city, prompting a Yellow Warning for several districts.
Five people were reported dead in Bengaluru on Tuesday following rain-related incidents, as heavy downpours over the past three days have caused widespread flooding across the city.
Among the fatalities, three were laborers who died when a building collapsed due to the intense rainfall. In another tragic incident, two children drowned in Kengeri Lake after becoming trapped in a marsh, according to local police. Additionally, 14 people were rescued from the collapsed building, while three others remain missing.
In response to the severe flooding, schools have been closed for Wednesday, October 23. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Warning for the day, cautioning residents about potentially hazardous weather conditions.
The Yellow Warning is in effect from 13:30 local time (LT) on Tuesday until 08:30 LT on Wednesday, with adverse weather expected during this period.
According to some reports, over 1 000 homes have been flooded and almost 200 trees have fallen due to continuous rainfall that has caused over 30 areas to be waterlogged in the city. Several areas in the city are experiencing power outages due to the floods.
Five teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to assist with evacuations in the worst-hit areas, including Yelahanka, one of the most affected districts. Rescue efforts on Tuesday included the use of coracles to reach people stranded by floodwaters.
Yelahanka recorded 157 mm (6 inches) of rain in just six hours, from 00:00 to 06:00 LT on Tuesday, leading to severe flooding in the region. Waist-deep water accumulated in the Kendriya Vihar area, adding to the challenges faced by residents.
In several low-lying areas, homes were submerged, causing damage to vehicles, electronics, and household items. Many roads were heavily congested, including Ballari Road, which saw a 7 km (4 miles) traffic jam due to flooding, impacting access to Kempegowda International Airport.
The embankment of a lake in Dashrahalli was breached by the heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in areas under the Mahadevapura five zones layout. To address the flooding, 20 pumps have been installed to remove water from apartments and other low-lying areas.
The Doddabommasandra Lake also overflowed for the first time in 17 years after the area received nearly 190 mm (7.48 inches) of rainfall.
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain with lightning in the coming days for districts including Chikkaballapur, Chikmagalur, Kolar, Bengaluru Urban, and Bengaluru Rural. Isolated heavy rain and thundershowers are also likely in Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dharwad, Gadag, Belagavi, Haveri, Davangere, Ballari, Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagara, and Chamarajanagar districts.
References:
1 Bengaluru Floods: 5 Dead As Rain Batters IT Hub; Oppn Says ‘Venice Floating Into Future’ – ABP – October 22, 2024
2 Bengaluru rains: 5 dead, public infrastructure crumbles in India’s silicon valley – The Economic Times – October 22, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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