Bengaluru rain caused widespread waterlogging across the city on Friday, flooding underpasses and junctions, slowing traffic for kilometres and leaving commuters, street vendors and workers struggling to reach their destinations. The downpour began as light rain in the afternoon before intensifying in the evening, according to a report by Prajavani.
Water accumulated on roads, at underpasses and around several junctions, making it difficult for cars and two-wheelers to move. Low-lying areas also reported water entering neighbourhoods, while locations where construction work was under way saw further pooling. Office workers returning home were caught in the rain, with many taking shelter under flyovers, metro routes, bus shelters and outside shops.
The Panathur railway underpass in Mahadevapura was completely inundated. A car became trapped in the water, and local residents helped rescue the driver, the report said. The incident highlighted the immediate risk faced by motorists using flooded underpasses during intense rainfall.
Rain was reported in several parts of the city, including Batrayanapura, Jakkur, Thanisandra, Shantinagar, Basavanagudi, Vijayanagar, Attiguppe, Magadi Road, Hampinagar, Gali Anjaneya Temple, Girinagar and Balagere Junction. Central and southern locations such as Majestic, Town Hall, KR Market, Jayanagar, Seshadripuram and the area around Vidhana Soudha also experienced rainfall.
The waterlogging disrupted traffic movement across multiple corridors. Vehicles were reported to have formed queues stretching for several kilometres in some locations. Police personnel worked to manage traffic and keep vehicles moving, while civic workers cleared garbage trapped near roadside drains to improve the flow of rainwater.
The disruption also affected people working in the informal economy. Street vendors and suppliers of food and other goods faced difficulties as rainwater collected along roads and customers sought shelter. Some two-wheeler riders parked their vehicles by the roadside and waited near shops or bus stops until conditions improved.
The reported flooding occurred across a mix of residential, commercial and transport-linked areas, including underpasses, junctions and roads near metro infrastructure. The incidents brought short-term travel disruption across the evening commute, while the rescue at Panathur underpass underscored the safety concerns created when water rapidly accumulates in low-lying road infrastructure.
Civic staff continued removing waste from drainage points to facilitate the movement of rainwater, and traffic police remained engaged in regulating vehicles in affected areas. The report did not specify the rainfall measurement or provide details of any broader closure of the affected roads and underpasses.
