On May 19, 2025, Bengaluru was hit by heavy rainfall that caused widespread flooding and severe disruptions across key areas like Koramangala, HSR Layout, BTM Layout, and Marathahalli. The deluge brought traffic to a standstill, including the closure of the Electronics City Elevated Expressway, and left major tech hubs like Manyata Tech Park submerged in knee-deep water. Several residential areas, such as Sai Layout, saw water entering over 100 homes, resulting in property damage and even one reported fatality.
The incident sparked strong criticism from the public and prominent voices in the tech ecosystem, including Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and investor Mohandas Pai, who condemned the government’s repeated failure to resolve Bengaluru’s chronic infrastructure issues. Social media was filled with sarcasm and frustration, as users mocked the city’s inability to withstand annual monsoon rains despite its global tech status.
In response, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar acknowledged that decades of mismanagement were to blame and claimed the government had already resolved 70% of flood-prone areas. Meanwhile, opposition parties attacked the ruling Congress government for its lack of planning, branding Bengaluru as “Water Bengaluru.” The episode highlights the critical need for better drainage systems and long-term urban planning in India’s tech capital.
