India’s Bengaluru flooded after torrential rain

Parts of the southern Indian city of Bengaluru have been flooded after heavy rain, disrupting life in the country’s IT hub on Tuesday.

People used boats and tractors for transport as dozens of houses and vehicles in low-lying areas were inundated. Torrential rain has lashed the city in Karnataka state since Monday night.

Videos broadcast on television have shown vehicles completely submerged in floodwater and people, some carrying children, wading through deep water.

A woman, 23, was reportedly killed when she accidentally touched an electricity pole near the eastern suburb of Marathahalli. She was going home when her two-wheeler broke down on a waterlogged road.

Authorities have closed schools and colleges and advised the public to remain at home.

Power cuts have occurred and water supply has been severely affected in some areas, with authorities announcing the use of water tankers.

Up to 430 houses have been completely damaged and more than 2,100 have suffered partial damage, the government said.

“My apartment is completely flooded … the water level is rising,” one resident told a local news channel.

“This all started two days back and yesterday we were forced to move out after there was a power cut. The authorities have to do something, we pay so much in taxes.”

Karnataka is among the wettest states in India and Bengaluru, with a population of about 13 million, is surrounded by lakes.

This is the second time in a week that heavy rain has brought life in the city to a standstill.

Agencies