Bengaluru Hit by Heaviest Rain in 15 Years: 3 Dead, 500 Homes Flooded, City Braces for More Downpour
- Nikhilkumar
- May 20
- 3 min read
By Bangalore Beat News DeskPublished: May 20, 2025
Bengaluru: The Garden City was battered by unrelenting downpours over the weekend, recording its highest rainfall in 15 years, leading to the death of three people, over 500 homes flooded, and several neighborhoods submerged. Authorities have confirmed that more rain is expected over the next five days, raising alarm among residents and emergency services.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded over 111 mm of rain in just 24 hours—the highest single-day rainfall for the month of May in the last decade and a half. Several areas, especially in South and East Bengaluru, turned into water-logged zones, with residents wading through waist-deep water and vehicles left floating on flooded streets.
Three Lives Lost, Several Families Displaced
Tragedy struck in multiple locations:
A 23-year-old software engineer was electrocuted while trying to move his scooter through a flooded street in the Munekolala area near Marathahalli.
In KP Agrahara, a 52-year-old woman slipped and fell into an open stormwater drain hidden beneath the murky water.
In a separate incident, a 6-year-old boy drowned after falling into a manhole in Laggere.
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the fire department have been working around the clock, evacuating stranded residents from inundated houses, particularly in KR Puram, HSR Layout, Bommanahalli, and Mahadevapura.
Over 500 Houses Flooded, Civic Bodies Struggle
The BBMP control room received more than 480 rain-related complaints in the last 48 hours alone. Water seeped into basements, ground floors, and parking lots. Areas like Anjanapura, Bilekahalli, Koramangala 8th Block, and Bellandur saw severe waterlogging, forcing residents to use boats and tractors for mobility.
According to officials, most of the flooding is due to poor drainage infrastructure, illegal constructions over stormwater drains, and rapid urbanization without corresponding civic planning.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath admitted the city’s infrastructure was under severe stress. "We are deploying more pumps and clearing blockages in the drains. However, with rain forecast to continue, our priority is ensuring citizen safety."
Traffic, Power Disruptions Widespread
Major arterial roads like Outer Ring Road, Hosur Road, Sarjapur Road, and Bannerghatta Road witnessed gridlocks, with water stalling vehicles during peak hours. Several BMTC buses were rerouted or delayed due to submerged roads.
Power cuts were reported across multiple areas including Malleswaram, Whitefield, and Jayanagar, as Bescom switched off supply in water-logged areas to prevent electrocutions.
Schools Shut, City on High Alert
As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in affected zones have been asked to shift to online classes for the week. The BBMP has set up relief centres in Yelahanka, Shivajinagar, and Bommanahalli to house those displaced.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru for the next five days, with warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy showers in the evenings.
15-Year Rainfall Record Raises Climate Alarm
Climate experts are calling the rainfall pattern a "wake-up call." Dr. Sharath Vishwanath, a climate scientist from IISc, noted, "This is symptomatic of urban climate crisis. The city’s green cover is shrinking, lakes are encroached, and unscientific urban sprawl has left no room for rainwater absorption."
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), Bengaluru has already received 40% more rainfall than average for May, just 20 days into the month.
What’s Next?
The BBMP has urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, especially during evenings. Emergency helplines (22660000/1912) remain operational round-the-clock. Citizens are also encouraged to report fallen trees, electric poles, or waterlogging via the BBMP Sahaaya app.
With monsoon around the corner and this early onslaught already overwhelming the city’s outdated infrastructure, experts are urging both government and citizens to rethink Bengaluru’s urban resilience strategy before it's too late.
Stay with Bangalore Beat for live rain updates, civic advisories, and community stories from across the city.
