IMD issues heavy rain alert in Bengaluru; 2 labourers die, houses inundated

NT Correspondent 

Bengaluru: Two labourers died while many houses were flooded due to heavy downpour in the city, authorities said.

The Meteorological department on Wednesday forecast more rains in the city for the next 24 hours.

Two labourers — Dev Vrat from Bihar and Ankit Kumar from Uttar Pradesh — drowned after the water level inside a pipeline they were laying at Ullal here increased suddenly due to heavy rains on Tuesday evening, police said.

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai visited the rain-affected areas of the city and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of two migrant workers, who were killed. 

Another labourerer Trilok was lucky as he came out of the Cauvery water pipeline in time as the water level quickly rose.

Police have arrested the contractor for his alleged negligence while an inquiry is on to find out the role of the site engineer.

The heavy rain wreaked havoc in the city as water gushed into houses in many low-lying areas.

According to the Weather department, many areas received 50 mm to 150 mm rain in the last 24 hours.

Horamavu, Yelahanka, Vidyapeetha, Rajmahal, Nagapura, Sampangiramnagar, Vidyaranyapura, Banaswadi, Jakkur and Singasandra were among the worst-hit.

While Horamavu reported 155 mm rainfall, Yelahanka and Vidyapeetha received 129 mm and 127 mm rains, respectively, the department said.

Many trees were uprooted, Bengaluru civic agency said.

Scores of vehicles were submerged in the basements of some apartments in Horamavu, HSR Layout, Rajajinagar, Basaveshwaranagar and Neelasandra.

There was waterlogging in many parts of the city, which also witnessed traffic snarls due to the torrential rainfall.

“For two days, there have been continuous rain at several places (in the city) and there have been over 100 mm rainfall, inundating several low-lying areas. I have already spoken to the Commissioner (BBMP) and engineers and have put the taskforce, home guards and SDRF to work to de-clog and pump the water out,” CM Bommai said.

The IMD has sounded a red alert in coastal districts and hilly regions of Karnataka for Wednesday.

 (With inputs from agencies)