Heavy rains batter Maharashtra and Karnataka; IMD issues orange alert for Kerala

In Tamil Nadu, heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in several isolated places across the state on Tuesday night.

Also read: Bengaluru rains: Death toll mounts to 5, over 500 homes flooded

The IMD has also issued flash flood warnings in all seven districts.

Orange alert in Kerala

The IMD has issued an orange alert warning of very heavy rains for Kasaragod and Kannur in Kerala on Wednesday.

Rain is expected in the range of 115.6 mm-204.4 mm in the next 24 hours, while a yellow alert has been issued for Kozhikode and Wayanad districts warning of isolated heavy rains.

The conditions are also turning favourable for the onset of monsoon over Kerala in the next 3-4 days.

Bengaluru residents' woes

Even after a night without rain in Bengaluru, Sai Layout in North Bengaluru remains considerably waterlogged on Wednesday (May 21).

The recent rainfall of 140 mm, which occurred from late Sunday night until Tuesday, has resulted in widespread flooding throughout the city; however, the inhabitants of Sai Layout have been particularly affected. Several residences on the ground and first floors remain inaccessible, and civic authorities are still actively involved in rescue and relief operations.

Presently, a team from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is engaged in efforts to clear drainage systems and pump out the accumulated water. Nevertheless, numerous residents have expressed their frustration with the gradual pace of these endeavors.

Distressing experience

Surya, an IT professional residing in the area, conveyed his distress, stating, “For the past three days, it has been a distressing experience. A single instance of rainfall caused a nearly five-foot increase in water levels, inundating our entire home. We also lack access to potable water because the sump has been contaminated.”

Also read: Bengaluru floods: Toll rises to 3 as child, elderly man electrocuted; more rains expected

He further mentioned that the flooding problem in the layout recurs with each episode of rainfall.

Another resident remarked, "The absence of electricity for three days has rendered even those of us capable of working remotely unable to do so." Residents have also articulated their concerns regarding what they perceive as a political exchange of blame concerning the absence of a lasting resolution.

Many contend that the state and central governments are deferring responsibility, particularly in relation to a small railway culvert that consistently becomes obstructed during periods of rain.

A resident explained to PTI, "BBMP states that they are unable to clear the vent as it falls under the jurisdiction of Indian Railways, while railway officials have reportedly denied receiving any such request. This impasse has become a recurring justification, with no tangible progress observed year after year."

Sai Baba temple affected

The Shirdi Saibaba Temple, after which the locality is named, has also sustained significant damage due to the flooding.

Dayananda, the temple chairman, reported, “The entire temple has been damaged, and documents have been washed away. The generator, on which I invested 6.5 lakhs, is irreparable. Owing to inadequate planning, all the water from Hebbal is now being diverted here. Twenty years ago, this area was merely a jungle. I established this place with faith, and now the residents wish to leave.”

Chronic issue

Ramesh, a long-term resident, echoed these concerns, emphasising the chronic and unresolved drainage problems. "BBMP officials are present, but their progress is very slow. The primary issue is the railway track vent, which is insufficiently wide to allow proper water flow. A larger culvert is necessary to prevent our problems from persisting.”

Also read: Bengaluru rains: Crores spent, zero results, says opposition

Several families whose ground-floor homes remain flooded are reluctant to evacuate, indicating that they have no alternative accommodation. Many residents are unwilling to leave their possessions unattended. Some residents have also reported a lack of substantial evacuation assistance or temporary shelter provided by the government or BBMP.

The repetitive nature of this crisis has left residents feeling exhausted and disillusioned, as Sai Layout continues to confront the same challenges annually, despite assurances from authorities that have yielded minimal lasting impact.

The Chief Minister and deputy CM are scheduled to visit Sai Layout today as part of their assessment of flood-affected areas across the city. Residents are hopeful that their visit will lead to a permanent resolution to their ongoing difficulties.

Mumbai: Havoc with sudden rains

Mumbai is expected to witness a generally cloudy sky with rains in Mumbai and its suburbs as per the IMD, said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official.

On Tuesday evening, the sudden rainfall brought traffic to a grinding halt in areas like Powai in Mumbai. The Andheri subway was completely submerged in water due to the heavy rains. A BMC team rushed to the spot to remove the water through drainage machines, said reports.

In western suburbs, Jogeshwari received the highest rainfall of 63 mm, followed by 57 mm in Andheri (Malpa Dongri) and 40 mm in Andheri (East) by 8 pm, informed the officials.

In eastern suburbs, Powai received the highest 38 mm rainfall, followed by 29 mm in Bhandup (S ward office) and 27 mm in Tembhi Pada, they said.

The island city recorded an average rainfall of 12.86 mm, while eastern and western suburbs received 15.65 mm and 26.63 mm rainfall, respectively, in three hours, they said. The officials said except one incident of tree fall and one of short circuit, no other incident was reported in the metropolis.

Waterlogging, train services

Commuters said road traffic slowed down due to rain. Suburban train commuters claimed local services were running with some delays though Railway authorities said they were unaffected.

Parts of Maharashtra may witness heavy rain with thunder and gusty winds between May 21 and 24 following a cyclonic circulation which is likely to form over the east-central Arabian Sea off the Karnataka coast, the Met department said.

Low-pressure area

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, issued a release on Tuesday evening stating that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 22, and thereafter, it may move northwards and intensify further.

Met department official Shubhangi Bhute said rainfall activity over Maharashtra may increase between May 21 and May 24 under the influence of the cyclonic circulation.

The weather system is expected to impact parts of Maharashtra, including south Konkan, south central Maharashtra and Mumbai, she said.

"There is a possibility of heavy rainfall with thunder at some places, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph or possibly higher at isolated locations," Bhute said.

High tides of 3.07 metres and 3.79 metres are expected at 6.04 am and 6.35 pm, respectively, while low tides of 1.74 metres and 1.71 metres are likely at 11.54 am and 1.25 am (May 22), the BMC said.

Billboard collapse in Pune

Two hoardings fell in Pune damaging five vehicles as heavy rains, coupled with strong winds, lashed the city on Tuesday evening, police said. However, there was no report of any casualty in the twin incidents, they said.

At least five vehicles got damaged after a huge billboard collapsed at Sanaswadi Chowk on the Pune-Ahilyanagar road at around 3.30 pm, said the police.

In another incident, a hoarding came crashing down in the Dhanori area, they said. Several parts of Pune received heavy rainfall since Tuesday evening and there were reports of waterlogging in low-lying areas.

According to the fire department, at least 15 incidents of tree falling were reported in Yerawada, Dhanori, Koregaon Park, Tingre Nagar, Erandwane, Hadapsar and Fatima Nagar areas of the city. Water leakage was reported at the city's airport. Local residents claimed water from unclean drains overflowed onto the streets.

In a post on X, SpiceJet said: "Due to bad weather in Pune (PNQ), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may get affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status..."

(With inputs from agencies)