Bengaluru Traffic Paralyzed by 45-Minute Downpour
Bengaluru witnessed significant traffic disruptions on Monday, August 19, following a 45-minute rainfall that resulted in waterlogging near the Hebbal flyover. The heavy rain, which began around 3 p.m., led to widespread traffic congestion, particularly affecting Hebbal and Outer Ring Road.
The 3.3-kilometer traffic jam on Ballari Road caused severe delays for commuters from North Bengaluru, with many taking over two hours to navigate the Hebbal flyover. Roads surrounding Hebbal Circle – including those from Yelahanka, Nagawara, Devi Circle, and the down ramp towards the airport – were submerged, further exacerbating the gridlock.
Eyewitness reports, including those from a Hindu correspondent on the service road to Veerannapalya, highlighted ambulances stuck for several minutes and vehicles’ wheels submerged underwater. The gridlock trapped countless students returning from schools and colleges, residents traveling for Raksha Bandhan, and families with children.
Radha, a Byatarayanapura resident, shared her frustration: “I was taking my daughter to her cousin’s house in R.T. Nagar for the festival, expecting a short trip. Instead, we’ve been stuck in traffic for over an hour.”
The traffic chaos spilled over onto residential roads in Jakkur, Byatarayanapura, Kempapura, and Amruthahalli, making it difficult for residents to find autorickshaw or cab services. According to M.N. Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bengaluru, “The rain between 2.45 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. caused peak congestion at around 4.30 p.m. to 5 p.m., which eventually cleared by 6 p.m. Outer Ring Road areas from Goraguntepalya to Kalyan Nagar also faced severe snarls.”
Traffic in several parts of the Central Business District (CBD), including Jayamahal Road, Nandidurga Road, Queen’s Road, as well as Bannerghatta Road, crawled due to the rain. Anucheth noted, “While our peak hours are generally between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday’s peak was from 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.”
The rainfall and subsequent waterlogging underscored the city’s ongoing infrastructure challenges in handling sudden weather changes.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/commuters-get-stuck-for-hours-in-bengalurus-hebbal-as-45-minute-rain-brings-traffic-to-a-standstill/article68543746.ece
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