City thrown into gridlock

Days after enduring extreme heat and elevated ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, Bengaluru was lashed by an intense rainstorm on Wednesday, bringing much-needed relief from soaring temperatures while offering an early sign of the approaching monsoon. The sudden downpour, however, triggered widespread disruption across the city, exposing its vulnerability to even short spells of heavy rain. The GBA control room received a surge of distress calls related to waterlogging, fallen trees, and blocked roads, leading to severe traffic congestion and gridlocks across multiple stretches. Emergency teams were deployed to clear debris and restore normalcy, though disruptions continued for several hours. The city recorded 78 mm of rainfall by 5:30 pm, while the HAL Airport station registered 24.7 mm. The traffic police issued real-time updates through its official social media platforms, including X, alerting commuters about road closures and slow-moving traffic. Several key roads were inundated, including Silk Board, Tavarekere Main Road, Ayyappa Underpass, Domlur, Old Airport Road, Chickpet Main Road, Bannerghatta Main Road, Chinnappa Layout in Mahadevapura, Sarakki Junction, Lalbagh Main Road, Kodichikkanahalli Main Road, and Mysore Road near BB Junction. Strong winds accompanying the rain uprooted more than 50 trees across the city. Areas such as Basaveshwaranagar, Palace Guttahalli, Jayamahal Road, Sirsi Road, Naga Junction, Tagore Circle in Basavanagudi, Pencer Road, IG Circle, Jayanagar, Bilekahalli, and Wilson Garden were among the worst affected. Civic authorities reported tree-fall incidents at over 50 locations, causing damage to vehicles and adding to traffic disruption. A major tree collapse near Kempegowda Railway Station damaged multiple cars, underscoring the intensity of the storm. Several areas also reported the collapse of temporary structures and roofing sheets. Additionally, several BMTC buses broke down during the downpour, further worsening congestion and leaving commuters stranded. Parts of central Bengaluru also witnessed hailstorms accompanied by strong gusts of wind. There were unconfirmed reports of a road cave-in on Lavelle Road, highlighting the broader impact of the sudden weather event.