The past week has been bleak in Bengaluru. What initially brought relief to the hot summers quickly turned into a nightmare. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city has already breached the 100 mm rainfall/day mark this month, classifying the event as ‘heavy rainfall’. The high-intensity rains over the past few days have disrupted lives, resulting in waterlogged roads, submerged underpasses, overflowing drains, fallen trees, and widespread power outages.
This deluge, however, is not an isolated incident. Our analysis has shown that between 1990 and 2025, rainfall in May has seen a 130% increase, reflecting that May is gradually getting wetter with each passing year. IMD data also indicate that the city has experienced above-average rainfall in May over the past three years. Furthermore, the IMD has predicted moderate-to-heavy rainfall over the next few days as a result of the advancing southwest monsoon, underlining the urgent need for advance planning.
Without swift and coordinated action, the risk of recurrent and severe urban flooding will only accelerate. It is essential that all stakeholders commit to building a cleaner, more resilient, and liveable city that we can truly call Namma Bengaluru.
