JOIN USTuesday evening’s rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning, led to traffic snarls, uprooting of trees and power failure in several parts of the city.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was yet to ascertain the number of trees that were uprooted, besides any damage to property.
An NWKRTC bus was submerged below the railway bridge near Kino Theatre close to Anand Rao Circle. Eye witnesses said the passengers, driver and the conductor reached the roof of the bus through the doors and windows, and then climbed onto the railway bridge.
The Railway Police received an alert and stopped movement of trains till the people moved to safety.
Traffic jams were reported at NGEF Junction towards Old Madras Road, Anil Kumble Circle, HAL towards Domlur on Old Airport Road, Tannery Road, Iblur Junction towards Bellandur Junction on Outer Ring Road, Basaweshwara Circle towards Cauvery Theatre and other parts of the city.
Power failure was reported in Vijaynagar, Kamakshipalya, Nagarbhavi, Laggere and parts of East and North Bengaluru. Bescom officials said that feeder lines developed glitches resulting in power failure and the repair work is on.
Trees were uprooted at AECS Layout in Sanjaynagar, Girinagar, Gangonahalli, Nayandahalli and Hosakerehalli. A few houses at KSRTC Colony, Shantinagar, and low-lying areas around Old Airport Road and J P Nagar were inundated. A hoarding fell on the road at Jayanagar 7th Block due to gusty winds.
The BBMP said that workers have been pressed in to pump out water from affected houses and to clear fallen trees. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that they are yet to verify the extent of rain.
Rain in next 48 hrs
The department has forecast partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thunder showers for the next 48 hours. Sundar M Metri, director in-charge, IMD-Bengaluru, has attributed the downpour to an upper air cyclonic circulation over Lakshadweep and its neighbourhood area which is moving towards North Interior Karnataka, across Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
He added that these winds create low atmospheric pressure, leading to rainfall.