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On October 21, 2024, Bengaluru faced significant water-logging and traffic jams after heavy rainfall. Major tech areas, including the Outer Ring Road, Sarjapur Road, and Koramangala, were severely affected. In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district decided to close all schools for the day to ensure student safety. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued an Orange alert, predicting more rain, leading to this precautionary measure.
The Karnataka government announced a holiday for all anganwadi centers, private, and government-aided primary and high schools within Bengaluru Urban District. This decision followed IMD's warning of moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning. Within 24 hours up to the morning of October 21, Bengaluru recorded 62 mm of rain, highlighting the severity of the situation.
While schools for younger children were closed, higher education institutions, such as degree, postgraduate, diploma, engineering, and ITI courses, remained open. This decision led to confusion among parents and students, as many children had already left for school when the announcement was made. Some schools quickly shifted to online classes to avoid further disruptions. Parents took to social media to express their frustrations, with one parent, Shwetha H, criticizing the late decision that caused inconvenience for many families.
Urgent Measures and Public Safety Concerns
Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesh communicated the urgent school closure decision verbally, promising that an official notice would follow. The government received the orange alert from IMD early in the morning and acted quickly to prioritize student safety. Authorities have also planned extra classes on weekends to make up for the lost time. Additionally, college heads were instructed to inspect their buildings to ensure they were safe, especially those that might be in poor condition.
Besides affecting schools, the heavy rain disrupted daily commutes. Major roads, including Bannerghatta Road, Jayanagar, Hosur Road, and Madiwala, experienced severe flooding. The Panathur railway underpass and other low-lying areas saw heavy waterlogging, leading to traffic police advising motorists to use alternate routes.
Community Response and Government Advisory
In some flooded areas, residents adapted to the unusual situation, with reports of people catching fish in flooded basements in places like Kendriya Vihar, Yelahanka. Tech workers also called for work-from-home options, although no official advisory had been issued.
The heavy rains in Bengaluru caused major disruptions, from school closures to traffic chaos. While the community and authorities are working to manage the situation, safety and preparedness remain the top priorities as the city continues to experience the effects of the monsoon season.
