Heavy rain leaves a trail of widespread damage in Bengaluru

Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms that lashed Bengaluru on Wednesday evening, while bringing much-needed relief from the searing heat, left a trail of widespread damage, exposing how unprepared the city has been for the monsoon this year too. 

Just a few minutes of very heavy rain left most arterial roads in the city flooded. On many roads, there was knee-deep water that caused not only slow-moving traffic, but also caused several vehicles to break down, further adding to the chaos.

Ramesh S., who drove from Kanakapura Road to the Central Business District (CBD) through the rain on Wednesday, said it was one of the scariest drives in Bengaluru. “Water levels on the road were high, threatening to flood the car. Driving was such an ordeal. I could see tree branches falling on vehicles. I was scared that a tree could fall on my car,” he said.