Intense rains disrupt normal life in Bengaluru

Heavy rain measuring about 196 mm till Wednesday morning lashed the city inundating several localities and leading to traffic snarls on arterial roads.

Life in Bengaluru was disrupted as torrential rains lashed the city since last night till early today, as also several other parts of the state. (EPS | Nagaraja Gadekal) 

The rain began during late on Tuesday and lasted for a few hours. The maximum rainfall (139 mm) was reported from Hemmigepura in Bengaluru South. Other parts of the city which received very heavy rainfall (exceeding 124.5 mm) included Kengeri, Bagalakunte and parts of K R Puram. (EPS |Nagesh Polali)

Areas such as Krishnarajapuram, Nelamangala, Koramangala and surrounding areas in the city received more than 180 mm rain. (EPS |Nagaraja Gadekal)

Many trees were uprooted, lakes breached their banks, and houses were inundated as rains pounded the city. (EPS |Nagaraja Gadekal)

In Koramangala in the city, many houses, a petrol pump and a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus depot were inundated. (EPS |Nagesh Polali)

Leo Saldanha of Environment Support Group blamed the government and the civic agencies for their 'short-sightedness' which has been causing flooding in the city. He said the poor approach towards protecting the stormwater drains, lakes and its watershed region has wrecked havoc. He was critical about the remodelling of stormwater drains as it will not serve any purpose. (EPS | Nagaraja Gadekal)

Many lakes including the Hosakerehalli, Somapura in Banashankari, Devasandra in K R Puram and Binnamangala overflowed their brims. The Sheegehalli lake frothed in K R Puram. (EPS |Nagesh Polali)

This is despite a massive demolition drive last year to remove encroachment of storm water drain in Avani Sringerinagar on Bannerghatta Road, Shubh Enclave and Yelahanka. (EPS | Nagesh Polali)

The rains have brought civil works in connection with four sewage treatment plants (STPs) to a standstill. The September-end deadline for completion of the works has now been pushed to the end of October. (EPS |Nagaraja Gadekal)

Meanwhile, rain caused severe damage to the standing crops in many parts of North Karnataka. Rains also played a spoilsport for the historic Dasara celebrations in Mysuru as several parts of the city were inundated. (EPS | Pushkar V)

Dasara celebrations were hit as 170 mm of rainfall was reported in Mysuru, the centre of festivities organised by the state government. In other parts of the state, very heavy rainfall was reported in many districts of South Interior Karnataka and Malnad. (EPS | Nagesh Polali)

Following heavy rain, water gushed into many houses in low lying areas in Mysuru on Wednesday. (EPS | Udayshankar S)

Police and homeguards rescue people in Dinghy. (EPS | Udayshankar S)

The record rainfall for September in Bengaluru, 516.6 mm, dates back to 1986. As of September 27, several parts of the city have already broken that record. (EPS | Udayshankar S)