Torrential rains that battered Bengaluru since Sunday evening triggered widespread chaos across the city, claiming the life of a 35-year-old woman and causing extensive property damage, power outages, and traffic gridlocks.
The deceased, Shashikala, worked as a housekeeping staffer at IZMO Ltd. She was killed early Monday morning when a compound wall of the software company in Mahadevapura collapsed over her. The tragic incident occurred around 7 am, and authorities said she died on the spot.
According to a senior police officer, a case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing. “We are looking into whether the wall collapse was solely due to heavy rains or whether substandard construction and building code violations played a role,” the officer said. Initial reports suggest that the building, a seven-storey structure, had approval for only four floors.
CCTV footage captured the moment of collapse, and officials suspect the use of subpar materials may have contributed to the tragedy.
Rains Cause Havoc Across Bengaluru
Shashikala’s death was not the only impact of the severe downpour. Bengaluru saw some of its worst flooding this season, with waterlogging reported across at least 10 areas in the Mahadevapura zone alone. Boats had to be deployed in localities like Sai Layout to evacuate residents as rainwater entered homes.
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), the city recorded over 235 mm of rainfall between May 1 and May 19 — more than double the usual average for this period. On Monday alone, Rajarajeshwari Nagar recorded the highest rainfall at 132 mm, followed closely by Vaderahalli, Chikkabanavara, and Somashettihalli.
Lakes Overflow, Homes Flooded, Cattle Killed
In Yelahanka, all 29 lakes reached full capacity, raising concerns of further flooding. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, the swelling Vrishabhavathi River caused reverse water flow into residential zones, killing five cattle.
Parts of East Bengaluru, including HRBR Layout and Byrasandra, also experienced flooding. Emergency teams from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) used earthmovers and pumps to remove water from roads and homes.
Government Offices Hit
Rainwater even entered government buildings, including the Central Crime Branch (CCB) office in Chamarajpet, where files, documents, and computers were destroyed after water levels rose up to four feet inside the premises.
“This is a major setback. A lot of evidence and case files may have been lost,” said a police official.
Power Outages and Traffic Chaos
Power outages were reported across several areas including Yelahanka, Hennur, Banaswadi, BTM Layout, and Shivajinagar. More than 19 trees were uprooted, affecting power lines and causing further disruptions.
Major roads like Koramangala, Indiranagar, the Silk Board junction, and Electronic City flyover experienced severe traffic snarls. Police issued advisories warning commuters to avoid flood-prone areas such as New Bel Road, Nagawara, Sarayipalya, and Manyata Tech Park.
Government Response
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar acknowledged the severity of the crisis. “I’ve been in continuous touch with officials and am closely monitoring the situation,” he said. “These issues are not new. They’ve been ignored for years across various governments.”
He added that he would personally visit BBMP’s War Room and the affected areas.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the BBMP was actively working to clear waterlogging and remove uprooted trees. “Flooding during pre-monsoon showers is a recurring problem. Our teams are on the job,” he said.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for Bengaluru and several other districts in Karnataka, the city is bracing for more rain in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
