As torrential rains pounded Bengaluru, flooding several localities and causing widespread chaos, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged that the city’s civic woes are not a recent phenomenon. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Shivakumar described the situation as the result of “years of neglect” by successive governments and reiterated his commitment to implementing long-term, sustainable solutions.
“Let us be clear: the issues we face today are not new. They have been ignored for years, across governments and administrations. The only difference now is — we are working to solve them. Not with temporary fixes, but with long-term, sustainable solutions,” Shivakumar posted. He also expressed deep concern over the destruction caused by the relentless downpour and confirmed that he has been in constant touch with officials while monitoring the situation closely.
The Deputy CM stated he would personally visit the BBMP War Room and the flood-affected zones to assess the situation on the ground. Reaching out to the public, he added, “To my fellow Bengalureans — I am one among you. I understand your concerns, I share your frustration, and I assure you of my commitment to resolve them. I stand with you.”
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city recorded around 40 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. Low-lying areas bore the brunt of the deluge, with Sai Layout being one of the worst-hit zones. Residents reported damaged furniture, submerged vehicles, and ruined electronic appliances. Tree branches snapped under pressure in several areas, and clogged drains were blamed for the waterlogging and poor drainage performance.
Social media buzzed with frustration. Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar posted a scathing remark: “We’ve got AI to detect cancer, drone delivery for biryani, and apps to schedule your pet’s meditation session. But no clue how to build a decent drainage system. And this is the tech capital of the country.” He added, “Maybe it’s the system or maybe it’s us. Perhaps we were too busy building unicorns to notice the roads turning into rivers. One thing is for sure — the ESOPs, villas, and startup exits won’t buy us a shortcut through this mess.”
Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai also criticized the recurring problem, writing: “Bengaluru sees boats on streets after heavy rain floods city. Manyata Tech Park under 2 feet water. Repeated flooding in the same places shows repeated failure of Karnataka BJP and Congress Karnataka and BBMP. Pl solve this.”
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for several districts in Karnataka, including Udupi, Belagavi, and Shivamogga. The alert warns of more rainfall, gusty winds, tree falls, and temporary power disruptions. Citizens have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
