Over 20 flights were delayed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night as heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed the city, particularly affecting its northern areas. Bengaluru, which has been experiencing continuous rain for the past three days, saw several low-lying areas waterlogged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the showers will likely persist into Tuesday, adding to the city’s growing woes. Several schools and institutions have declared holidays on October 22 and 23 due to the adverse weather conditions. Amidst this chaos, the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) took a sharp dig at the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government, criticizing its handling of the city’s crumbling infrastructure.
Flight Delays and Weather Chaos at Bengaluru Airport
Bengaluru’s airport was thrown into disarray late Monday night as over 20 flights were delayed due to severe weather conditions. The downpours, accompanied by thunderstorms, primarily affected the northern parts of the city, where the airport is located. Several flights, including an Air India service from Delhi and four IndiGo flights, had to be diverted to Chennai as it became unsafe for them to land in Bengaluru amidst the heavy rain. Passengers experienced hours-long delays as airlines scrambled to adjust their schedules in response to the rapidly changing weather.
The situation at the airport highlighted the impact of the continuous rains that have been battering Bengaluru since the weekend. The city, known for its moderate weather, has been grappling with unusually heavy rains that have led to flooding, traffic jams, and now, disruptions at its international airport. With the IMD predicting more rain on Tuesday, schools and institutions have taken precautions by announcing closures on October 22 and 23 to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Heavy Rains Leave Bengaluru Waterlogged
Monday’s flight disruptions are only one part of the story as Bengaluru continues to face widespread issues due to the incessant rain. Several low-lying areas in the city were submerged in water, leaving residents stranded and frustrated. Roads have turned into rivers, with many vehicles stalled in knee-deep water. Waterlogging was particularly severe in the northern parts of the city, with key areas like Yelahanka, Hebbal, and Bellandur among the worst hit.
Bengaluru has witnessed continuous rainfall over the last three days, leading to significant disruption of daily life. Commuters are struggling to navigate through flooded streets, while residents in low-lying areas fear more flooding if the rain continues. Many schools, colleges, and offices have closed for two days, and several businesses have transitioned to work-from-home models to ensure safety amidst the chaos.
The IMD has warned that Bengaluru can expect more rain on Tuesday, adding to the city’s ongoing troubles. The weather department attributed the heavy rains to a low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal, which has been moving westward, affecting Karnataka and other parts of South India. With more rain expected, the situation is likely to worsen before it improves, leaving Bengaluru’s residents bracing for further disruptions.
JDS Criticizes Siddaramaiah Government’s Response
As the rains wreak havoc on the city, political parties are seizing the opportunity to criticize the current administration. The Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) has launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government, accusing it of failing to address Bengaluru’s deteriorating infrastructure. The party took to social media to highlight the plight of the city’s residents, sharing a video that shows a physically challenged woman falling into a pothole on a waterlogged road.
The video, shared by the JDS on X (formerly Twitter), shows the extent of damage the rains have caused to Bengaluru’s roads. Along with the video, the JDS wrote, “Welcome to Brand Bengaluru! Where a physically challenged woman falling into a pothole during heavy rains is just another day in paradise. While @siddaramaiah & @DKShivakumar keep patting themselves on the back for their ‘visionary’ governance, the city’s crumbling infrastructure is doing all the talking.”
The post has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with citizens voicing their frustration over the city’s poor infrastructure and the government’s lack of preparedness for the monsoon season. The opposition party has accused the state government of neglecting Bengaluru’s infrastructure and prioritizing cosmetic changes over real, sustainable development.
Political Games Over Weather Woes
This criticism of the government comes at a time when the rains are exposing the cracks in Bengaluru’s infrastructure. While the JDS has been quick to point out the shortcomings of the Siddaramaiah government, experts argue that the city’s problems are the result of years of mismanagement. Successive governments, including those led by the JDS, BJP, and Congress, have been blamed for neglecting the city’s drainage systems, failing to invest in proper urban planning, and allowing unchecked construction to exacerbate waterlogging issues.
However, the Siddaramaiah government finds itself under intense scrutiny as it is currently in power and responsible for the immediate response to the crisis. Critics argue that the government has not done enough to prepare the city for the monsoon, despite repeated warnings about Bengaluru’s vulnerability to flooding. The opposition is likely to continue using this as an opportunity to score political points in the run-up to future elections, while the city’s residents continue to bear the brunt of inadequate governance.
A Grim Outlook at Bengaluru for the Coming Days
With more rain forecasted for the rest of the week, Bengaluru’s troubles are far from over. The IMD’s warning of continued heavy showers has raised concerns about further waterlogging and potential disruptions at the airport. Schools and institutions will remain closed on October 22 and 23 as a precautionary measure, and many businesses have advised employees to work from home until conditions improve.
The ongoing rains have brought into sharp focus the need for long-term solutions to Bengaluru’s infrastructure woes. As political parties trade barbs over the state of the city, what remains clear is that the people of Bengaluru deserve better planning and preparation to prevent such chaos in the future. Whether this monsoon season serves as a wake-up call for the administration or becomes another footnote in the city’s history of infrastructure failures remains to be seen.