On bandh day, rain brings misery, hope

Parts of Bangalore City witnessed heavy downpour Saturday evening, uprooting several trees and leaving many areas flooded.

The central business district (CBD) of the City bore the brunt of the sudden rain. According to the Meteorology department, the CBD received 34 mm rainfall. However, the outskirts of the City did not get even a drop of rain.

Koramangala was the worst affected. Water from the stormwater drain gushed into the cellar of Naveen Apartments that house 60-odd flats.

The residents of the apartment said at least 10 cars and many two-wheelers were submerged.  Rajendra Babu, president, Sinivagilu Tank Bed Residents' Welfare Association, said encroachment of the stormwater drain and the neighbouring areas caused the flooding of the apartment.

He alleged that several representations to the BBMP to clear the encroachment have proved futile. Thirumalai Kumar, a resident of the apartment, said the basement was full of water in just two minutes of rain.

“We are not sure whether anyone is trapped inside,” he said. Policemen, who rushed to the spot, could do little to help the residents of the apartment. In a short while, the residents made their own arrangements to pump out the water from the basement.

Several trees were uprooted in the area due to the heavy downpour. However, nobody was hurt.

More rain in store

According to the Met department, more rain is in store for the State. Apart from parts of Bangalore City, many places in North Karnataka experienced thundershowers on Saturday.

Certain localities in Bangalore City received 33.4 mm rain, while Athani in Belgaum, Aurad and Mathala in Bidar, Shahpur in Yadgir, Chittapur in Gulbarga, apart from places in Bidar, Bijapur, Raichur, Bagalkot and Uttara Kannada districts recorded substantial rainfall. Rains are expected in North Karnataka in the next 48 hours too.

B Puttanna, director, IMD, Bangalore said there is “good indication” of South Karnataka too receiving moderate to heavy rainfall, thanks to the two pressure systems that are building on the East and West coast. The upper air cyclonic circulation over Maharashtra and its neighbourhood is presently causing the thundershowers in North Karnataka.

Puttanna said there was a trough of low pressure building at main sea level along East coast in association with an upper air trough extending up to 4.5 km over sea level.
He added that the commencement of North East monsoon around October 20, would mean good rainfall in the State, especially in the Cauvery basin.