Bengaluru received its second consecutive day of rainfall on Friday, providing much-needed relief from the muggy weather, but it also led to traffic congestion in a few areas of the city. Light to moderate showers were heavy rain on the horizon for the second day of rain to hit a large part of the city, causing a few hours of traffic congestion in the city on Friday, which delayed traffic congestion and caused some parts of the city to be choked up.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the rainy spell is expected to persist for a few more days, and a Yellow Alert has been issued for many districts in Karnataka. Heavy rainfall in parts of the state, and people in vulnerable areas have been advised to be careful, the weather agency said.
Rain brings relief, but traffic chaos
The sudden rain brought down temperatures in Bengaluru and provided relief from the heat in recent days. But waterlogging and slow-moving traffic at many busy junctions across the city were seen as well.
Many major localities such as Rajajinagar, Malleswaram, Majestic, Yeshwanthpur, Vasanth Nagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, Vijayanagar, and KR Market were constantly hit with showers throughout the day. People in the office and drivers were stuck in traffic on several major roads.
The rain also caught many commuters by surprise, and two-wheeler riders and pedestrians had to seek shelter as the showers dispersed.
IMD Issues Yellow Alert
The IMD is predicting widespread rainfall in Karnataka over the next two days and weather conditions will be active due to the strengthening southwest monsoon.
A Yellow Alert has been issued for the coastal districts of the state on July 18 and July 19, indicating heavy rainfall is likely to occur in some places. Heavy showers are also likely to be seen in parts of South Interior Karnataka on July 17 and July 18, including Bengaluru and neighbouring districts.
Districts likely to get rain
The weather department has predicted moderate rainfall in several northern Karnataka districts, including:
- Dharwad,
- Gadag,
- Haveri,
- Bidar,
- Kalaburagi,
- Yadgir,
- Raichur,
- Bagalkote,
- Koppal,
- Vijayapura.
Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru are expected to receive heavy rainfall, and there is also a likelihood of heavy rain at some places in the region, where intense showers are expected.
Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapur, and neighbouring districts are likely to continue to receive intermittent rainfall in the coming days.
Landslide Warning in Ghat regions
Apart from heavy rainfall, the IMD has also warned of the possibility of landslides in the coastal and Western Ghat regions of Karnataka on July 17 and July 18.
District administrations in the most vulnerable areas have been advised to stay on high alert, and people living in areas near hillsides and landslide-prone areas should be watchful and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rains.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to respond to any weather-related emergencies if needed.
Advisory for Residents
As rain is forecast to persist over the weekend, commuters are advised to plan their travel, drive carefully on slippery roads, and remain updated with official weather bulletins.
People living in low-lying areas should be on the alert for waterlogging, and people living in hilly areas should avoid unnecessary movements during periods of intense rainfall.
The return of widespread monsoon showers will bring relief from rising temperatures and benefit agriculture across the state. However, heavy rainfall could also lead to localized flooding, traffic disruptions, and landslide risks in vulnerable regions.
