Tue Oct 15 20:10:46 UTC 2024: ## Bengaluru Batters Under Heavy Rains, City Under Orange Alert
**Bengaluru, October 16, 2024:** The city of Bengaluru is facing heavy rains, leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the city, indicating a severe weather situation with potential for significant disruption.
In response to the heavy rainfall, the Karnataka government has declared a holiday for schools on Wednesday, October 16th. Tech companies have also been advised to allow employees to work from home. Colleges and universities will remain open, but principals have been instructed to follow safety guidelines to ensure student safety.
The incessant rain, which began early Tuesday morning, has caused flooding in several areas, including Manyata Tech Park, a major hub for technology companies. Videos of flooded roads inside the park went viral on social media, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Traffic across the city has been severely impacted. Gridlocks have been reported on major roads including the Outer Ring Road (ORR), Tumakuru Road, and Airport Road. Heavy waterlogging has also been reported on Bellary Road.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city’s civic body, has deployed a flood management team to respond to emergencies and assist residents affected by the rain. The BBMP has issued an announcement, assuring citizens that their systems are operational and actively addressing areas impacted by the rainfall.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for several districts across Karnataka, including Tumakuru, Mysuru, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kolar, Shivamogga, Chikkaballapura, and coastal Karnataka. The weather agency has predicted gloomy skies and showers for Bengaluru from October 14th to 17th.
The Marathalli Weather Union gauge has recorded 42.6 mm of rainfall since midnight. Bengaluru has already recorded a total of 72 mm of rainfall in October.
First Piper 