Lives of many people in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru were disrupted on Tuesday (6/9) after two days of torrential rain. The rain caused long traffic jams, widespread power outages and massive flooding that submerged homes and roads.
Videos circulating on social media show people being forced to take tractors to work while parts of the city are still under water. Many schools were closed on Monday due to heavy rains and authorities warned of disruptions to water supplies. Boats have been deployed to rescue those overwhelmed by the flood.
Known as the tech capital of India, this city is home to several major tech companies. Some offices have been closed and employees have been forced to work from home.
Although September is usually the wettest month in Bangalore, this year it rains more than usual.
The two areas that make up the city, Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural, recorded 141% and 114% excess rainfall respectively. On Monday evening, rainfall was recorded at 131.6 millimeters, making it the wettest September day in eight years.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Karnataka, the state in which Bengaluru is located, is among the regions receiving the maximum rainfall this year. The state has received 34% more rainfall in the past three months than it normally receives for the entire year.
Although there is no direct link between excessive rainfall in Bengaluru and climate change, there is growing evidence that the monsoons, the most important weather system for the Indian subcontinent, are undergoing changes due to climatic stress. Scientists say this makes extreme weather events like excessive rainfall the new normal. [ab/uh]
