A 65-year-old coffee shop owner was killed after losing control over his two-wheeler and colliding with a tree, which was uprooted due to heavy rains, near South End Circle in Bengaluru on October 4 morning.
The deceased, B.S. Nagaraj, was a resident of Tata Silk Farm. He on his way to open the coffee shop situated in Jayanagar.
He sustained severe injuries in the accident and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed.
Motorists vented their ire on civic authorities and police, accusing them of failing to clear debris fallen on the road following heavy rains.
Heavy rains lashed most parts of Bengaluru on October 3 evening, bringing down trees and flooding homes. Several roads were water logged, which affected vehicular movement.
Control rooms of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) received several complaints from citizens following heavy rains that were accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Complaints of rainwater entering homes were received from all zones, except Yelahanka and Bommanahalli. According to information provided by the BBMP central control room, a 10-foot-high wall belonging to HAL collapsed in Rameshnagar, coming under Mahadevapura zone. No one was injured.
Until 6 a.m. on October 4, four trees fell down in East zone and two in South zone. Complaints about rainwater entering homes were received from East zone (7 complaints), West (10), South (3), Rajarajeshwarinagar (15), Dasarahalli (5), and Mahadevapura (4).
BBMP sources said that rainwater was stagnant on many roads but fallen trees had been cleared.
Until 12 a.m. on October 4, highest rainfall of 98 mm was recorded at Jnana Bharati, 91 mm at Nagarbhavi, 90 mm at Hampi Nagar, 78 mm at Nandini Layout, 67.5 mm at Hegganahalli, 64.5 mm at Maruthi Mandir, 58.5 mm at V.V. Puram, 53.5 mm at Rajarajeshwarinagar, and 48.5 mm at Dayananda Nagar.
The heavy rains on October 3 wreaked havoc in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters after inaugurating the two-way integrated flyover on 1st Main Road and 8th Main Road, Shivanagar, on October 4.
He said that the civic chief had directed the various zonal officials to take up relief work immediately to ensure vehicular movement is not affected. Priority would, however, be accorded to providing relief to citizens whose homes were flooded.
“I have been apprised of the situation. Following tree falls, vehicles have been damaged in many places, while livestock loss has also been reported. Old buildings have been damaged. We are monitoring the situation. The government will release the funds required to provide relief,” he said.
Indian Meteorological Department, Bengaluru, has forecast rain and/or thundershowers over the next two days.
