Heavy rains early Monday turned Bengaluru’s streets into virtual rivers, causing widespread traffic jams and leaving commuters stranded for hours. The downpour led to severe waterlogging across the city, disrupting travel and leaving residents grappling with the flooding.
One commuter took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his frustrating experience. Sridhar Swaminathan posted that he boarded a bus from Electronic City to Silk Board at 5 am but was still stuck in traffic by 8 am, unable to reach his destination even after more than three hours.
Responding to a traffic advisory from the Madivala Traffic Police Station, which highlighted severe waterlogging on Hosur Road, Swaminathan expressed his discontent. The advisory, shared in Kannada, included images and videos of vehicles struggling through the flooded streets and warned of slow traffic on Hosur Main Road from Bommanahalli to Silk Board Junction. The advisory also noted that motorists were forced to use alternative routes.
ಹೊಸೂರು ಮುಖ್ಯರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೊಮ್ಮನಹಳ್ಳಿಯಿಂದ ಸಿಲ್ಕ್ ಬೋರ್ಡ್ ಜಂಕ್ಷನ್ ವರೆಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಿಲ್ಕ್ ಬೋರ್ಡ್ ಜಂಕ್ಷನ್ ನಿಂದ ಬೊಮ್ಮನಹಳ್ಳಿ ರೂಪೇನ ಅಗ್ರಹಾರದವರೆಗೆ ವಾಟರ್ ಲಾಗಿಂಗ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದು ನಗರದ ಒಳಭಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಬರುವ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊರಭಾಗಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಸಂಚಾರ ನಿಧಾನಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದು ವಾಹನ ಸವಾರರು ಬದಲಿ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬಳಸುವುದು. pic.twitter.com/hZy5esHzNv
— MADIVALA TRAFFIC BTP (@madivalatrfps) August 12, 2024
Swaminathan tweeted in frustration, “The public is stuck in traffic from Electronic City since 5 am. Yet to reach Silk Board. It’s been more than 3 hours. Can you manage the traffic better, please?”
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In another tweet directed at the Bengaluru Traffic Police, he urged for proactive measures to alleviate congestion rather than reactive updates. “What cooperation do you need? We’ve been stuck since 5:30 am. People need patience, not cooperation. Your proactive action would help regulate congestion better than posting photos after hours.”
Sir what cooperation you need. We are stuck in traffic from 5 30. Yet to reach Silk Board. People needs patience not cooperation. Pl your proactive action will help to regulate the congestion rather than posting photo after 2 hrs
— Sridhar Swaminathan (@sridharSwamina1) August 12, 2024
Swaminathan also highlighted the plight of elderly passengers enduring the prolonged delay, further underscoring the severity of the situation. One humorous comment on a photo of the traffic jams read, “Hope you packed enough breakfast + lunch and maybe dinner for the long ride to work today?” Swaminathan’s reply revealed the challenges faced, noting, “You can plan for meals, but what about nature’s call? It’s been a very bad day. The bus took 3 hours, and many elderly travelers are struggling.”
‘Traffic advisory ‘
Slow-moving traffic due to Water logging at Rupena Agrahara towards Silkboard,Kindly co operate.
“ಸಂಚಾರ ಸಲಹೆ “
ರೂಪೇನ ಅಗ್ರಹಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ನಿಂತಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಸಿಲ್ಕ್ಬೋರ್ಡ್ ಕಡೆಗೆ ನಿಧಾನಗತಿಯ ಸಂಚಾರ ವಿರುತ್ತದೆ, ದಯಮಾಡಿ ಸಹಕರಿಸಿ. pic.twitter.com/JuODmfMs0N— ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಸಂಚಾರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ BengaluruTrafficPolice (@blrcitytraffic) August 12, 2024
Another resident shared that their children experienced a two-hour delay due to the heavy traffic and waterlogging.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts light showers for Bengaluru until August 15, with more intense rainfall expected to begin on August 16 and continue through August 17.
