Heavy rains enveloped much of the city for the second day in a row on Friday, leading to diversion of flights, inundation of homes, erratic electricity supply and crippling of the city’s infrastructure.
The accompanying thunderstorm and wind on Friday evening saw eight flights — three from Delhi and one each from Kochi, Srinagar, Bagdogra, Patna and Abu Dhabi (UAE) — diverted to other airports while at least 21 flights were delayed.
According of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), 30mm of rainfall was received in their station on Palace Road, much of it between 6.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), which has localised rain gauges in the city, said the highest rainfall received was over 62.5mm, with the average rainfall being 14.5mm.
In the city, there was chaos on the streets as traffic — which was heavier than usual as commuters sought to leave the city over the festival weekend — as roads became water-logged at important junctions.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) control room said trees or branches had fallen in R.T. Nagar, Jayanagar, Jagajeevanram Nagar, Malleswaram and Vidyapeeta. The tree fall in Jayanagar saw traffic movement towards Banashankari come to a halt.
The sudden burst of rain also saw inundation of a few houses. Complaints were received from Kodichikkanahalli close to Madiwala lake, Gayathrinagar, C.V. Raman Nagar and K.P. Agrahara.
In many parts of the city, particularly the southern and eastern parts, homes were left without electricity. Bangalore Electricity Supply Company said it received 340 complaints during the time of heavy rains.
According to the IMD, the rains are the result of a depression in the Arabian Sea and will continue over the weekend, lowering in intensity.
