Bengaluru: Thursday's rain created mayhem all over Bengaluru turning already pothole-ridden roads into river streams, flooding low-lying areas and throwing traffic out of gear in different parts of the city. Officials of Indian Meteorological Department, Bengaluru said that rains recorded from 8.30 am till 8.30 pm stood at 65.2 mm.
An overflowing Vrishabhavathi raja kaluve submerged the Mysore road in front of Nayandanahalli Metro station. This station on the Purple Line was perhaps the worst hit of all in the city.
The deluge cut off access for commuters to the metro station and the nearby road became unusable. Videos circulated on social media revealed a muddy brown waters of the raja kaluvue submerging the entire area, with no road visible whatsoever.
Motorists had a tough time driving on flooded Bannerghatta Road.
The water levels of Vrishabhavathi rose up beyond the adjoining road level. From big trucks to smaller vehicles, the deluge affect all. Though the rains stopped later, Nayanadanahalli road continued to remain submerged.
Water logging was also witnessed at Sultanpete road near Chickpete Metro station. The road had knee deep water and even trucks could not move.
Most underground metro stations had leaking platforms and tunnel walls, with dustbins and buckets being used to collect water and prevent the floor from getting wet.
Flooding near Chickpete Metro Station.
Roads adjoining Vidhana Soudha inundated. (Photo: DC)
At Vidhan Soudha underground metro station near the High Court entrance, a bin placed against the wall was 3/4th filled with rain water dripping from an exposed ceiling. Kempegowda interchange station, the deepest tunnel so far, also had water leaking down the walls.
While authorities generally maintain that minor leaks are expected in underground stations, Deccan Chronicle spotted leaks even elevated stations. Sandal Soap Factory station, for instance, had rain water dripping from the roof of the elevated access way leading to ticket counters. Commuters said even MG Road, Trinity, Cubbon Park and K.R. Market stations were not free from leakages.
Passengers of Depot 15 bus got stranded at Electronics City, near PES college, as it got submerged and broke down. "Passengers were shifted to an alternate bus as rain water entered into one of the moving buses. No other BMTC operations in the city were affected as buses left depots in the morning before rains started. However, Shantinagar depot was flooded and buses could neither enter nor depart," said a BMTC official.
Commuters make their way in the pounding rain. (Photo: Satish.B)
Though BMTC maintains that only one bus was affected by flooding, while others got stuck in slow moving traffic, many passersby claim BMTC buses came to a halt due to waterlogging at Silk Board Junction, Jayadeva flyover, St. Johns and Nayanadanahalli. Many two-wheeler riders who got stranded due to water logging near Electornics City had to abandon their vehicles, with no let up in flooding.
Whitefield residents said the metro construction along the IT corridor added to the traffic jam. Pravir, a resident of Whitefield, said, "Metro works have further slowed down movement on Whitefield Road from K.R. Puram to Hoodi and Graphite junction. Off Whitefield Main Road the trench filled up by BWSSB has caved in. The newly restored Borewell Road is already broken."
Cab aggregators resorted to hike in fares after the rains began in the afternoon. Commuters complained of having to repeatedly cancel booking to avoid paying extra. Due to high demand, many were unable to even make a booking. Autos too demanded extra fare from commuters, especially to areas like Koramangala where many roads got inundated.
Vidhana Soudha metro station leaks
Applauded for its design with multiple entry points, wider than ever footpath and flawless road, B.R Ambedkar Vidhan Soudha Metro Station, located close to the seat of power, failed to pass the rain test.
At the High Court entrance of this underground station, a dustbin was placed against the wall to collect rainwater dripping from an exposed ceiling. By mid afternoon, the bin was 3/4th filled with rain water, close to reaching the brim!
