Heavy rains that lashed the City on Saturday evening caught scores of people and motorists unawares as the sudden downpour choked the traffic on City roads.
The rainfall also dampened spirits of weekend shoppers who were all out on MG Road, Brigade Road, Commercial Street and other hangouts. The downpour not only put brakes on outings but seemed to create a sombre mood among those looking to a great Saturday night party.
Meanwhile, the rains flooded many low-lying areas, causing sewage water to flow out of clogged underground drains.
On the busy Airport Road, water was streaming down the fly-over onto the road and clogging drains.The Indiranagar-Koramangala Intermediate Ring Road also saw traffic jams as far as 80-ft Road, Koramangala.
 Vehicular movement was immediately affected as cops had a tough time clearing traffic that came to a crawl.       
Residents of Domlur 2nd Stage, 3rd phase located behind the BDA complex, said heavy rains resulted in water gushing into their homes. Panduranga, Domlur Residents Welfare Association president said water from drains overflowed into their homes. “We had to use buckets to flush out the clogged water. About 500 houses were inundated. A drain near the military compound wall being blocked, water from Airport Road caused overflow into residential neighbourhoods,” he said.
‘Hollow claim’
K Vishwanath, resident on 6th Main, BDA colony in Domlur, said numerous complaints to the BWSSB and BMP had gone waste. “They say drains have been cleaned. Then, why would heavy rains result in sewage water entering our homes?” he asked.
Rain-related woes never seem to end, as Mr Anil Kumar, Secretary of Federation of Residents Welfare Association of Ward 68, pointed out. “Residents of Ashwini Layout, Indira Gandhi Slum, Ejipura and Koramangala 4th and 6th blocks had a harrowing time in the evening due to rain/sewage water flowing from the Storm Water Drains. The work BBMP is now carrying out at the Koramangala valley is shoddy,” he said.
 Though Palike Chief Engineer (SWD) Burgi visited the area, the angry locals want the BBMP Commissioner to act tough to prevent such incidents. The Palike control room received complaints of trees falling in many areas of the City. Officials said about 10 trees were uprooted at Kamaraj Road, Indiranagar, Malleshwaram, BTM Layout and other areas. A compound wall near Uma Theatre at Chamarajapet collapsed.
32 MM RAIN
Meteorological Department officials said the City recorded 31.6 mm of rain,  classified as heavy monsoon showers.
The department has in its forecast for Sunday predicted overcast skies with rain/thundershowers expected by afternoon/evening.