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At least two people were killed in Bengaluru on Wednesday, 18 May, and several scrambled for shelter with heavy rains causing widespread waterlogging across the city. The city is witnessing its wettest May in the last 10 years, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced compensation of Rs 25,000 for houses in areas that were affected by the rains and flooding.
Two labourers were found dead at a pipeline work site in West Bengaluru’s Ullal on Wednesday morning. The deceased have been identified as Devbrath from Bihar and Ankit Kumar from Uttar Pradesh. Trilok, another labourer, however, managed to escape.
Heavy rains are expected to continue in many parts of Bengaluru, with the India Meteorological Department forecast predicting thunderstorms and lightning with light to moderate rain on Wednesday morning.
The IMD on Tuesday had issued an Orange alert for urban and rural districts of Bengaluru, predicting heavy rainfall for the next 4-5 days in the city. An Orange alert has also been issued for the districts lying in southern Karnataka for Thursday.
According to IMD Bengaluru, rainfall is expected in Bengaluru (Urban) and Bengaluru (Rural), as well as other parts of Karnataka, including Koppal, Raichur, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Ballari, Chamarajanagara, Chikkaballapur, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagara, Shivamogga and Tumakuru, on Wednesday.
Over 850 homes were flooded leaving food/groceries sinking and also damaging electronic appliances.
CM Bommai Visits Flood-Affected Area, Relief Announced
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday visited the affected areas of Hosakarehalli and Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru, and announced compensation of Rs 25,000 for houses which were affected by rains and flooding water.
Expressing grief at the death of the two labourers, Bommai also said that solatium worth Rs 5 lakh would be paid to the kin of the deceased.
Speaking to mediapersons after his visit, Bommai said that arrangements have been made to provide food to flood-affected people.
Bommai said that in many places, houses have been built along the rajakaluves (major storm water drains). As a result water cannot flow smoothly. Therefore, he has ordered all encroachments on rajakaluves to be cleared.
He added that several waterlogged areas have been identified and issued orders to ensure the removal of all bottlenecks for smooth flow of water in low-lying areas.
Revenue Minister R Ashok, BJP national General Secretary CT Ravi and other local leaders were also present.
Minister for Excise Department K Gopaliah said that the government will provide relief to over 800 families in the Mahalakshmi Layout Assembly constituency, which has suffered due to incessant rainfall.
He also visited affected areas and interacted with aggrieved families.
BBMP officials have already been instructed to stop the construction of the sewers and pipelines, which was being done at several places across the city.
'Widespread Rains Over Coastal Karnataka Expected Over the Next Two Days'
Meanwhile, Dr Geeta Agnihotri, Head of Meteorological Department, Karnataka, said that widespread rains over coastal Karnataka are expected over the next two days, followed by "fairly widespread rains" from 20 to 22 May.
Agnihotri added that for North Interior Karnataka, widespread rains for the next two days are expected, followed by "fairly widespread rains" on the third day.
While on the fourth and fifth day, scattered rains are expected in the area.
Further, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in coastal Karnataka for Wednesday and Thursday, followed by heavy rain on 20 May, she added.
Knee-Deep Watern, Heavy Traffic Congestion in Several Areas
Several parts of Bengaluru saw heavy downpour on Tuesday, with many roads waterlogged. Knee-deep water in some areas led to commuters being stuck for hours as vehicles could not move forward. In addition, several areas witnessed heavy traffic congestion as heavy rains continued for a few hours in the city on Tuesday evening.
Citizens also shared videos of the situation on social media, complaining of waterlogging.
Several areas across the city were affected, including Mysore Road, Magadi Road, Kengeri, Nagarbhavi, Sultanpet, Old Tharagupet, Chickpet, Kalyananagar, Shanti Nagar, MG Road, Sivanchetti Gardens, JP Nagar, Jayanagar, Majestic, Yeshwantpur and Silk Board junction, reported The News Minute.
The highest rainfall was registered in Horamavu (155 mm), which was followed by Yelahanka (129 mm) and Vidyapeetha (127 mm).
According to IMD, rainfall between 64.5 mm-115.5 mm is considered heavy, and between 115.6mm-204.4mm is very heavy.
Rajmahal (122 mm), Nagapura (120 mm), Sampanginagar (119 mm), Dasarahalli (110 mm), Vidyaranyapura (109 mm), Doddanekkundi (108 mm), Banaswadi (106 mm) and Jakkur (102 mm) also registered rainfall above 100 mm. Many other parts of the city also witnessed rainfall above 50 mm.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times and The News Minute.)
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