Bengaluru is grappling with yet another spell of intense pre-monsoon rainfall, with weather authorities forecasting continued downpours until at least April 19, 2025. The heavy showers, which began intensifying mid-week, have left much of the city waterlogged, with traffic bottlenecks, power outages, and flooding in several localities bringing daily life to a near standstill. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a continued rainfall alert for the city, highlighting the likelihood of thundershowers and high precipitation in the evenings and nights over the coming days.
Officials from the state’s natural disaster monitoring centre confirmed that several zones across Bengaluru will see persistent heavy rainfall as part of pre-monsoon activity. Over 160 civic wards were impacted by moderate to heavy rainfall within just a few hours, pushing drainage infrastructure to its limits. Localities such as Doddanekundi, Hagdoor, K.R. Puram, Basavanapura, and Ramamurthy Nagar reported significant rainfall intensity ranging between 25–28 mm by early evening on April 18, 2025.
The situation quickly escalated with rainwater inundating roads, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas like Jakkur, Devasandra, and Yelahanka New Town. Residents across affected neighbourhoods have raised concerns about the compounding effect of infrastructure works and monsoon mismanagement. With metro construction projects already constricting arterial roads, the added burden of flooded streets has severely affected traffic flow, especially during evening peak hours. Many commuters reported being stranded for over two hours in gridlocked conditions.
Social media platforms were flooded with visuals of submerged vehicles, overflowing drains, and commuters wading through knee-deep water. Officials from the municipal corporation acknowledged the disruption and stated that teams have been mobilised across critical zones to address waterlogging, remove fallen tree branches, and clear clogged drains. Emergency responders are also on standby for any escalation in flooding or incidents of property damage.
Civic officials emphasised that contingency plans had been activated, including coordination with the traffic police and ward-level disaster management teams. In many areas, the rainfall has worsened the ongoing issue of pothole-ridden roads, making travel unsafe for both motorists and pedestrians. Several accidents involving two-wheelers slipping on wet surfaces were reported, particularly in the northern and eastern suburbs. Tree branches damaged by gusty winds have also posed hazards along residential and commercial streets.
Despite the disruptions, residents have welcomed the drop in temperature following weeks of scorching summer heat. The city, which had recently experienced temperatures touching 36°C, saw a noticeable dip in mercury levels, offering a brief respite for many. However, this relief has come at the cost of daily wage workers, delivery staff, and street vendors whose mobility and earnings have been hit by the downpour.
Environmental experts have reiterated the urgent need for sustainable stormwater infrastructure and better urban planning to handle Bengaluru’s evolving climate patterns. Unplanned urbanisation, shrinking green cover, and construction debris clogging natural water channels have all contributed to the city’s vulnerability to flash floods and urban deluge.
As pre-monsoon activity intensifies in southern India, officials have urged citizens to stay updated on weather advisories, avoid venturing into waterlogged areas, and report civic issues through helplines and digital portals. With the rainfall likely to persist through the week, Bengaluru’s ability to manage its water crisis while protecting vulnerable communities is once again under scrutiny.
While immediate response measures are underway, the unfolding situation has reignited long-standing questions about the city’s resilience. Experts warn that unless structural investments are made in climate-adaptive civic infrastructure, episodes like these will only grow more frequent and damaging.
Bengaluru has been reeling under incessant rains for the past few weeks, bringing several residential areas and roads under knee-deep water. Heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging in multiple areas of the Silicon Valley, disrupting both vehicular movement and daily life. The IMD has issued a 'yellow alert' for the city till Sunday, predicting partly cloudy skies with rainfall. The city is expected to experience generally cloudy skies accompanied by light rain through Wednesday, April 19, 2025.
Daytime temperatures are likely to remain steady at around 33°C, while nighttime temperatures are hovering between 20°C and 21°C. From Thursday, April 20, onwards, the weather is forecast to clear up slightly, with partly cloudy skies dominating until at least Tuesday, April 23, 2025. Despite the transition to drier conditions, maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain consistent, with highs at 33°C and lows around 21°C.
Meanwhile, data from the IMD shows that the current maximum temperatures are slightly below the seasonal norm of 34°C, while the minimum temperatures are in line with the average for this time of year. The cooler days can be attributed to recent rainfall and cloud cover. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Friday. Waterlogging and traffic disruptions are expected in the city on April 18, 2025.
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, a spell of pre-monsoon rain lashed the southern state, leaving the city waterlogged and traffic snarled. Areas like Balagere, Varthur, Outer Ring Road, Ramamurthy Nagar, Madiwala, Vittal Mallya Road, and Nagawara witnessed severe waterlogging on April 17, 2025. According to the weather agency, the city's observatory recorded 7.2 mm of rainfall till 8:30 PM, while the HAL airport recorded 12.7 mm. The international airport saw 2.4 mm of rain up to 5:30 PM on April 17, 2025.
