Heavy rain creates havoc in India's tech hub Bengaluru again

Parts of Bengaluru were flooded Tuesday after heavy overnight rain, with rescuers searching for people trapped in a collapsed building. The city faces severe waterlogging, fallen trees, and damaged infrastructure, as more rain is forecast in the coming days.

Heavy overnight rain led to flooding in parts of Bengaluru on Tuesday, with several people feared trapped after a building under construction collapsed amid the downpour.

Meteorologists have warned of more heavy rainfall in the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu due to an "upper air cyclonic circulation" off the coast.

Bengaluru, formerly celebrated as India’s garden city, has been grappling with a host of urban issues, from traffic congestion to inadequate infrastructure. The rapid pace of urbanization and encroachment on the city’s lakes has obstructed key canals, reducing its ability to manage and drain excess water.

On Tuesday, the city was hit by severe waterlogging, with cars submerged and roads blocked by fallen trees. The rainfall, which set records for the highest 24-hour total in recent decades, has caused widespread damage. Authorities reported 241 mm of rain over the past week, more than double the usual amount.

TV footage showed people being evacuated in boats and tractors, carrying their belongings to safer areas. Rescue teams have pulled at least 15 people from the collapsed building, with efforts ongoing to find more survivors.

Bengaluru had previously experienced its worst rainfall in decades in 2022, severely affecting the tech sector, and this latest flooding comes in stark contrast to the water shortage the city faced earlier this year.

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