Raining Misery: People trapped, buildings collapse

By Y. Maheshwara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: Chaos ensued after the city received a record 80 mm of rainfall all through Thursday.

R. Bharatadri won’t return to his residence at Kendriya Vihar in Yelahanka tonight. The building is in chaos, after heavy rains caused the adjacent storm water drain to overflow, sending murky water into people’s homes. Bharatdri’s wife is trapped inside the building, as are some 600 families.

Inside the building’s premises, vehicles float in the water. The flooding isn’t the only thing compelling residents to stay indoors. Dozens of snakes, washed up from the depths of the storm water drain, are now swimming around the water-logged premises of the building. “I managed to take my car out today but was not able to use it after I reached college, where I work,” Bhatadri says. “I will stay at a hotel tonight since re-entering the building will be very tough. My wife is unable to leave. I have been living there for six months and it’s the first time rain water has flooded the premises this way.”

Local MLA S.R. Vishwanath visited the spot and promised residents that the problem will be fixed as soon as possible.