Parts of India’s tech capital, Bengaluru, were flooded on Tuesday after heavy overnight rainfall. Many people are feared to have been trapped after a building under construction collapsed in heavy rain.
Indian weather officials expect heavy rainfall over the next few days in the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu due to what they called a “cyclonic upper air circulation” off the coast.
Bengaluru, once known as India’s garden city, is plagued by problems ranging from traffic jams to poor public infrastructure.
Rapid urbanization and encroachment of urban lakes have blocked the canals connecting them, limiting Bengaluru’s ability to absorb and discharge water.
On Tuesday, residents had to deal with waterlogged roads, downed trees and many cars floating in water after an overnight downpour that exceeded the record for the heaviest rain in 24 hours in the past few decades.
Local authorities said 241mm of rainfall was recorded last week, more than double the normal amount for the period.
Television showed people being rescued on boats and tractors, carrying their belongings and being taken to safety.
At least 15 people were rescued from a building under construction that collapsed after rain, and rescuers are still looking for more people, a local police officer told Reuters.
In 2022, the city experienced the heaviest rainfall in decades, with the IT industry disrupted in many districts due to waist-deep water.
The latest wave of flooding contrasts with the acute water shortage that occurred earlier this year.