Heavy and prolonged downpours on Thursday evening plunged Bengaluru into familiar chaos, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and causing widespread flooding across the city. This recurring monsoon misery has once again cast a harsh spotlight on Bengaluru’s woefully inadequate infrastructure and its struggling drainage network.
In densely populated areas such as HSR Layout and the bustling Electronics City, roads vanished under knee-deep water within minutes of the rain starting. Vehicles struggled to navigate the submerged streets, creating widespread gridlock.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported varying rainfall figures for October 9, with 5.1 mm recorded at HAL Airport, 3.6 mm at Kempegowda International Airport, and 9.5 mm at the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) campus. While these figures indicate light to moderate rain, the impact was severe.
Outer Ring Road Faces Severe Disruption
The Outer Ring Road (ORR), a vital artery for Bengaluru’s numerous IT companies and one of its busiest stretches, was among the most severely affected. Commuters reported agonizing journeys, spending well over an hour to cover short distances, particularly between Kadubeesanahalli and Doddanekundi. Despite traffic police advisories urging alternative routes, the congestion remained crippling throughout the evening.
The Electronics City Flyover also succumbed to the relentless rain, with vehicles crawling through waterlogged sections. Many frustrated residents took to social media, expressing outrage over the persistent flooding, especially in light of repeated assurances from civic authorities and recent toll increases.
One exasperated commuter, sharing their ordeal online, exclaimed, “Every government has done its bit to ruin Bengaluru. Don’t blame the people who came here for jobs — blame the corrupt municipality and politicians who allowed this mess to fester.”
Throughout the evening, traffic police issued numerous warnings as key junctions, including Madivala, Silk Board, and Agara, were rendered impassable due to severe waterlogging.
Uprooted Trees and Power Outages Add to Woes
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) documented at least five incidents of trees being uprooted and ten cases of tree branches snapping. These incidents led to temporary power disruptions in several neighborhoods, compounding the public’s distress.
Residents and urban planning experts agree that the consistent flooding across many parts of the city is not merely a consequence of heavy rain but rather a symptom of deeper, systemic problems. These include unchecked encroachment on stormwater drains and a glaring lack of maintenance for existing drainage infrastructure. As one HSR Layout resident lamented, “Even a short shower is enough to flood our roads. It’s not just about rain; it’s about years of neglect.”
The IMD’s forecast for Friday (October 10, 2025) predicts generally cloudy skies with a possibility of one or two spells of rain or thundershowers, indicating that the city’s struggle with waterlogging may not be over.