Rain paralyses traffic across Bengaluru; GBA readies response teams

Dark clouds gather over the city as pedestrians cross a footbridge in Bengaluru on Wednesday (September 30). | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN Multiple spells of rain on Wednesday (September 30) left traffic in the city paralysed, with travel times nearly doubling, particularly on stretches in east Bengaluru.Traffic on the Outer Ring Road, especially near Marathahalli Junction, crawled as multiple waterlogging points slowed the movement of vehicles. The situation was further worsened by vehicle breakdowns that were reported along the ORR in the eastern part of the city.The Panathur railway underbridge again witnessed severe waterlogging, choking traffic on the stretch. Further, Doddanekundi Junction, Spice Garden, Kadubeesanahalli underpass and stretches in Karthik Nagar also witnessed congestion due to waterlogging. In the northern part of the city, Vidyashilpa Road witnessed severe waterlogging due to ongoing civic works.More than three tree-fall incidents were also reported, according to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) sources.Meanwhile, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda directed officials to take precautionary measures ahead of the possibility of heavy rain over the next two to three days.Mr. Gowda said that the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority has issued a heavy rain alert for the next two days and directed officials to make adequate arrangements. He directed the Prahari vehicle teams to remain active and conduct rounds across the city. Control rooms Mr. Gowda directed officials to ensure that control rooms remain operational round-the-clock during the rains and respond immediately to complaints from any part of the city.He said motors should be kept ready for pumping out water from areas likely to experience severe waterlogging. Officials were also directed to ensure the availability of adequate manpower to clear fallen trees. Published - September 30, 2026 09:31 pm IST