Heavy rain batters Bengaluru, triggers severe waterlogging

Bengaluru witnessed heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, leading to severe waterlogging and massive traffic snarls across several parts of the city. The sudden downpour disrupted peak-hour movement and left commuters stranded on flooded roads. The worst-hit stretches reported waterlogging in areas such as Majestic, Shivajinagar, KR Market, Rajajinagar and Vasanth Nagar, where vehicles moved at a crawl amid overflowing drains and inundated junctions. Several underpasses and internal roads were submerged, forcing motorists to take diversions. In north Karnataka, heavy rain with thunder and lightning was also reported from Hubballi and Dharwad. Residents reported brief flooding on low-lying roads following intense showers. Amid the worsening weather conditions, airline major IndiGo said flight schedules to and from Bengaluru were impacted due to bad weather. “Bad weather over Bengaluru has impacted flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly,” the airline said in a statement. The showers brought temporary relief from the summer heat but exposed the city’s recurring monsoon challenge, with clogged drains and poor rainwater management leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic chaos.