Trees uprooted, traffic hit as rain lashes City

Indian Meteorological Department forecasts more downpour

Trees were uprooted and traffic was thrown out of gear as heavy rains lashed the City on Saturday.

Water gushed into some houses in the low-lying areas at JP Nagar, while the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) control room reported waterlogging at Anjaneya Nagar in Puttenahalli near JP Nagar, Jaraganahalli and Jai Jawan Nagar in Chikka Banaswadi.

 Trees came crashing down at Channamma Kere Bed, Vidyapeetha Circle, Jayanagar 7th Block and Sarakki 9th Cross. The BBMP sent their Prahari Van to the spots to pump out the water from houses. Due to uprooting of trees, traffic was badly affected at Vidyapeetha Circle and Jayanagar, both very busy roads.

The heavy downpour in the last two days has come amid fears of a drought-like situation in the City due to the scanty rainfall received so far.  

On Saturday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 17 mm rainfall in the City till 5.30 pm.

Although 38 mm short of the average rainfall of 141.6 mm in August, the downpour for the last two days made up to 103 mm so far. IMD has forecast more rain in the next few days.

Jaraganahalli ward Corporator, Suguna Balakrishna told Deccan Herald that she inspected the Chikkaswamy Layout, Jaraganahalli. She added that residents requested her to remove the silt gathered due to the rain. “It is a minor problem and steps will be taken to remove the silt,” said Balakrishna.

IMD Director (Bangalore) Puttanna said the rain for the last two days was due to the presence of a low pressure area over the east coast of the east central Arabian Sea and adjoining coastal Karnataka.

There is also an associated upper air cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above sea level. He said under the influence of these two systems heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days over coastal Karnataka, interior Karnataka and the Ghat regions.