Bengaluru traffic dept issues fresh alerts as monsoon becomes active, more rains expected

Heavy rains battered parts of Bengaluru, bringing with them the all-too-familiar sight of slow-moving traffic and waterlogged roads. The southwest monsoon was active over Interior Karnataka. As a result, rainfall occurred at many locations across the state, exacerbating traffic conditions in the city. More rains are expected in Bengaluru this week. A trough extending from the east-central Arabian Sea, off the Karnataka coast, to the Maldives at lower and middle tropospheric levels, also contributed to the widespread rainfall. This system, combined with ongoing infrastructure work and vehicle breakdowns, led to significant traffic disruptions.

On Tuesday, key areas affected by the waterlogging included the outer ring road towards Hebbal Circle, Kempapura towards the Airport, Veerannapalya Signal towards Hebbal Circle, and the down ramp of the Hebbal flyover towards the Airport. In these areas, slow-moving traffic was reported. Many commuters were stuck for hours near the Hebbal flyover during peak traffic hours.

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Bengaluru traffic alert

The ongoing Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) work on the Outer Ring Road further contributed to the traffic slowdown. Commuters were urged to cooperate with traffic authorities to ease the congestion. Vehicle breakdowns added to the chaos, particularly at the KR Pura Upper ramp towards Hosakote Road, where traffic moved at a snail's pace. Road widening work by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) at Panathur Railway Bridge S Cross also contributed to the slow traffic, further frustrating motorists.

Bengaluru weather forecast

On the weather front, the city and surrounding areas are likely to experience more rainfall in the coming days. A Western Disturbance, manifesting as a trough in the middle tropospheric westerlies, runs roughly along longitude 70°E to the north of latitude 32°N. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep in the lower and middle tropospheric levels is expected to influence weather conditions.

The forecast for the week predicts fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall across Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Coastal Karnataka, and other parts of southern India. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Telangana during the week.

For the coming days, isolated heavy rain is expected over Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on August 21st, with light to moderate rain likely in Uttara Kannada district and many parts of South Interior Karnataka. The weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers from August 21st to August 26th, keeping the region under wet and cloudy conditions.

Bengaluru weather forecast for this week

21-Aug: 22.0°C - 31.0°C, Mostly cloudy with a chance of one or two showers or thunderstorms.
22-Aug: 22.0°C - 31.0°C, Predominantly cloudy with light rain expected.
23-Aug: 22.0°C - 31.0°C, Mostly cloudy skies with light rainfall likely.
24-Aug: 22.0°C - 31.0°C, Cloudy conditions with light rain anticipated.
25-Aug: 22.0°C - 31.0°C, Rain throughout the day.
26-Aug: 22.0°C - 31.0°C, Rainy weather expected.