Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 19: A relentless overnight downpour on Sunday night plunged Bengaluru into chaos, exposing long-standing urban infrastructure failures and triggering a political slugfest even as tragedy struck a family in Whitefield.
Fatal wall collapse in Whitefield
In a heart-wrenching incident, Shashikala (35), a housekeeper at a private company, was killed on the spot after a compound wall collapsed on her due to waterlogging and structural weakening from continuous rainfall.
The accident occurred in Whitefield, where the wall, soaked from incessant rain, gave way early Monday morning. Shashikala leaves behind her husband, a daily wage labourer, and two young children.
Police from the Mahadevapura division visited the site and launched an investigation.
This follows another rain-related fatality earlier this month, when a tree branch fell on an auto, killing the driver.
Record rainfall paralyses city
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru recorded 105.5 mm of rainfall at the city observatory and 132 mm in Kengeri, marking one of the heaviest May rainfalls in the last decade. The Kempegowda International Airport saw 44.2 mm, while HAL recorded 78.3 mm.
The intense rain flooded vast stretches of the city, turning roads into rivers and homes into waterlogged zones. Areas worst affected include HSR Layout, Koramangala ST Bed Layout, Silk Board Junction, Nagavara, Hennur, Wilson Garden, and Manyata Tech Park. Even the BMTC bus depot in Shantinagar and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) office were submerged.
Emergency services, including earthmovers and inflatable boats, were deployed in low-lying neighbourhoods. A goods vehicle was found submerged in RMV 2nd stage, and traffic police were forced to close the Electronics City flyover due to waterlogging.
Civic issues like unsilted drains, uncovered manholes, and unfinished stormwater drains worsened the crisis. Uma Mani, a resident of HSR Layout Sector 7, criticised the government’s response, saying, “They claim there are no funds, but we’re drowning.”
Deputy CM responds, promises long-term solutions
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also handles the Bengaluru Development portfolio, took to social media platform 'X' to address the crisis. Expressing concern, he said: “I'm in constant touch with officials and closely monitoring the situation. This is not a new problem. It is the result of years of administrative neglect. But we are now committed to long-term, sustainable solutions—not just temporary fixes.”
He also vowed to personally visit the BBMP war room and flood-affected areas to assess ground realities. Appealing for public patience, he reassured residents:“I am one among you. I understand your frustration. I stand with you.”
Opposition slams government over infrastructure failures
The BJP swiftly lashed out at the Congress-led state government. Former Deputy CM and BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan blamed Shivakumar directly, stating: “Crores spent. Zero results. Last night’s rains didn’t expose Bengaluru’s infrastructure—they exposed D K Shivakumar’s two years of inaction.”
Sunil Kumar, BJP MLA for Karkala and party general secretary, demanded a white paper on infrastructure spending over the past two years, adding sarcastically, “Visit Silk Board once —you’ll see your real contribution.”
The rains have brought back to the forefront Bengaluru’s chronic urban issues—flood-prone streets, inadequate drainage, encroached lakes, and poor civic coordination—raising serious questions about the city's preparedness for monsoon months ahead.