A relentless overnight downpour turned Bengaluru’s tech corridors into a quagmire on Monday, leaving commuters stranded and exposing the city’s chronic infrastructure woes. Key areas like Koramangala, HSR Layout, BTM Layout, and Marathahalli bore the brunt, with waterlogged roads and stalled traffic bringing the Silicon Valley of India to a standstill.
Electronics City Expressway Submerged
The 9.9-kilometer Electronics City Elevated Expressway, a vital link between Central Silk Board and Electronics City, was rendered unusable due to severe waterlogging. Employees of major tech firms such as Infosys, Wipro, and Biocon faced significant delays, with many forced to seek alternative routes that were equally congested. Ongoing National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) work exacerbated the situation, further crippling traffic flow.
Silk Board Junction: A Bottleneck Amplified
Silk Board Junction, notorious for its traffic snarls, became impassable as stormwater inundated service roads and underpasses. Interstate buses from Kerala and Tamil Nadu added to the chaos, queuing up at the flooded junction. Commuters reported being stuck for over an hour, with water reaching up to vehicle tires, making it impossible to access luggage compartments.
Tech Parks and Residential Areas Affected
At Manyata Tech Park, employees arrived to find entry points submerged under knee-deep water, prompting many to return home. Residents of Varthur, Balagere, and Panathur faced similar challenges, with Balagere Road once again submerged—a recurring issue attributed to clogged and damaged stormwater drains. Locals have dubbed the situation “copy-paste flooding,” as images from previous years mirror the current scenario.
Infrastructure Failures Compound the Crisis
A fallen tree near Kalamandir in HAL further disrupted traffic towards Marathahalli Bridge, while a vehicle breakdown at Hennur underpass contributed to the city … Flooding along the Outer Ring Road, particularly near the Agara flyover and Hennur … , crippled movement. In HSR Layout, a mere 1-kilometer stretch from Agara to Silk … traverse.
Authorities Struggle to Manage the Deluge
Despite deploying over 25 traffic personnel at major junctions, authorities struggled to manage the overwhelming congestion. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) faced criticism for its inadequate response, with officials scrambling to deploy pumps and clear debris. Residents expressed frustration over the lack of long-term solutions to the city’s recurring flooding problems.
Yellow Alert Issued Amid Ongoing Rains
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru, warning of continued heavy rainfall through May 22. Residents are advised to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel as the city grapples with the aftermath of the deluge.
