One person lost his life and several others were injured after the branch of a tree fell on them on Adugodi Main Road on Friday evening. They were standing at Anepalya bus stand near the busy Shoolay Circle when the wind and rain tipped over a large tree, which crushed the temporary structure and trapped the commuters.
More than 20 officers from the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department as well as senior officers of the Bengaluru city police arrived to coordinate the rescue operation, which lasted over two hours. Heavy machines were brought in to separate the tangle of branches and corrugated metal sheets of the bus stand.
The deceased is yet to be identified. One man, Fakirappa, sustained severe injuries. At least four other persons sustained minor injuries.
City in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased.
There were reports of tree falls and disruption of power supply in numerous parts of the city. The BBMP control room estimates that more than 15 branches had fallen across the city.
Traffic in chaosThe heavens opened up when people were heading home from work, resulting in bumper to bumper traffic at most major arterial roads. As the lanes near footpaths were inundated, the traversable width of the roads was reduced in many places. In some places, the falling down of barricades and traffic control measures added to the chaos. A hapless traffic police department advised commuters to venture out “only if necessary”.
Power-lessA running joke on social media is that on sniffing moisture in the air, Bescom cuts off power. Friday was no different. From Nagarabhavi to Nagawara, disruptions in electricity supply were reported from most parts of the city.
According to Bescom, more than 2,600 citizens called to lodge 1,537 complaints between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Many took to social media to complain that the helpline number (1912) was not functioning.
May rain breaks decade recordThe city received nearly 18mm of rain between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. With this, May has received 173mm of rain, which is the highest for the month in a decade.
“The heat and humidity of the past week led to the creation of a trough over Bengaluru. This caused clouds to build up. This will remain for the next two days at least,” said S.M. Metri, Director, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
The department predicts that the cloud build-up will see maximum temperatures around 31 degree Celsius, which is 3 degree Celsius below normal.
