Rainfall cripples normal life, causes severe traffic jam in Bengaluru

Incessant heavy rain since last night crippled normal life in several parts of the city on Friday, leaving in its wake waterlogged roads, flooded houses and severe traffic jams.

Low-lying areas, particularly Kodichikkanahalli and Bilekahalli, were the worst affected by the flooding as waterentered houses following the breach of a lake.

The Fire department deployed boats in Kodichikkanahalli to evacuate stranded people from their buildings, officials said. People were also seen fishing near the swelling lakes.

Overflowing lakes and drains coupled with uprooted trees compounded woes for commuters. Adding to this was a traffic gridlock that left a long pile-up of vehicles on roads across thecity, particularly on the routes leading to Electronics City, the IT hub.

Officials said emergency service personnel were pressed into service since early morning and the control room of city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike was working round-the-clock to attend to the complaints.

They said they were attending to complaints from distressed stranded residents in low-low lying areas using boats besides distributing food items.

As all the major arterial roads that connects to the cityand ring roads witnessed traffic snarls, office goers had a harrowing time in reaching their destination on time.

The city's Bellandur Lake also saw the froth floating on it, spilling onto the roads, as it happens whenever there are heavy rains, causing inconvenience to commuters.

Speaking to reporters, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that he has instructed traffic officials to be on fieldto ease traffic.

Agreeing that lack of proper infrastructure was also adding to the problem, he said government was taking steps in this regard.

"I have spoken to Corporation Commissioner in the morning; he has deployed his staff at places. They are workingto pump out water from clogged areas wherever possible."

Thecommissioner along with his officials is also visiting the affected areasto oversee the work, he added.