Bengaluru Rain: Tractors turn lifesavers in flooded silicon valley

Heavy rains in Bengaluru have disrupted daily life, making tractors an essential mode of transport. The city, renowned for its technological advancements, saw its residents, school kida, relying on these farm vehicles to navigate flooded streets. Tractors, usually limited to farms and construction sites, became a common sight, ferrying passengers even to the city’s airport.

Motorists, who once criticized tractors for slowing down traffic, now see them as crucial. "If it weren't for these tractors, we wouldn't have been able to manage this time," said an IT professional. Recent heavy rains have caused severe flooding, with water from lakes spilling onto roads and into homes, bringing Bengaluru to a standstill.

Bengaluru faced significant disruptions on Tuesday due to heavy rains that caused severe waterlogging across the city. School children were particularly affected, with students on Balagere Road stranded as their school bus could not navigate the flooded streets. As a result, they were taken home using a tractor.


"We need a permanent solution on Balagere Road to have basic infrastructure. Kids were dropped off in tractors today. No proper drains and no proper roads. Where is our tax money going? Scientist Sunil Kumar Uppala shared a video on X." The video showed children inside a tractor, reflecting parents' concerns about their safety during transportation.

Residents of Kendriya Vihar Apartment in Yelahanka were also evacuated using tractors as the city faced unprecedented rain, leading to widespread flooding. The once-uncommon sight of tractors in the Indian Silicon Valley has become a lifeline for many, as tech professionals abandoned their cars for these makeshift transport options.

Social media has been flooded with images and videos of tech employees and their managers sharing tractor rides. The shift in perspective has been notable, as motorists who usually complain about tractors hindering traffic are now expressing gratitude for their role in navigating the flooded city. An IT sector professional remarked, "If it weren't for these tractors, we wouldn't have been able to manage this time."