Bengaluru on High Rainfall Alert; 70% Flood Zones Fixed: Minister
Heavy rain warning issued for Bengaluru. IMD lists key districts under alert. Minister Shivakumar confirms flood fixes in major localities.
image for illustrative purpose
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru city and a yellow alert across several districts of Karnataka for Tuesday, indicating the potential for heavy to very heavy rainfall in urban and rural pockets.
An orange alert signals rainfall accumulation between 11 and 20 centimeters, while a yellow alert implies rainfall ranging from 6 to 11 centimeters. IMD Bengaluru Centre Director N Puviarasu stated that while such rainfall might be manageable in rural zones, urban infrastructure in Bengaluru remains vulnerable due to limited drainage capacity.
“The city's concrete landscape hampers natural water flow, which increases the risk of flooding during intense rain spells. Therefore, we have issued an orange alert for Bengaluru to prompt early response from civic agencies,” said Puviarasu.
The meteorological department identified the following districts as areas likely to experience significant rainfall today: Bagalkot, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Belagavi, Chikkaballapur, Dharwad, Gadag, Kolar, Koppal, and Vijayanagara.
In response to persistent flooding incidents, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar confirmed that 70 per cent of previously flood-prone zones within Bengaluru have been addressed. According to the minister, of the 210 locations flagged for recurring waterlogging, remedial action has been completed in 166 zones.
Field inspections were carried out in locations such as Sai Layout, Manyata Tech Park, and the Silk Board Junction on Monday. “We have constructed approximately 197 kilometers of stormwater drains. Work is currently underway in 24 zones, and the remaining 20 will see interventions shortly,” Shivakumar informed media personnel.
On his official social media platform, the Deputy CM highlighted that while rainfall cannot be controlled, urban flood management can be improved. “We are focusing on infrastructure enhancements in high-impact areas like Hebbal, Silk Board, and Yelahanka. Underpass flooding remains a challenge, and coordination with relevant departments is ongoing,” he stated.
