Bengaluru, India’s tech capital, often celebrated for its innovation and growth, has once again been brought to its knees by severe flooding following heavy pre-monsoon showers from May 17–19, 2025. The city, home to global technology giants and a thriving IT workforce, recorded an unprecedented 130 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours, leading to widespread disruptions, particularly in the professional sphere. This article explores the impact of the recent floods on Bengaluru’s workforce, the underlying causes, and the urgent need for sustainable urban planning to mitigate future crises.
The deluge, described as the second-highest rainfall in a decade, transformed Bengaluru’s streets into rivers, submerging homes, paralyzing traffic, and claiming at least five lives across Karnataka, including three in Bengaluru. Areas like Mahadevapura, Sarjapur Road, Bellandur, and BTM Layout—key hubs for IT companies and residential complexes—were among the worst hit. Floodwaters inundated offices, homes, and tech parks, forcing many companies to implement work-from-home policies. Ananda Rao, president of the Association for Information Technology, highlighted the “discomfort and inconvenience” faced by businesses, noting that Bengaluru’s significant tax contributions deserve better infrastructure returns.
The impact on work has been profound. Manyata Tech Park, a major IT hub, saw flooded roads, making commuting nearly impossible. Employees reported being stranded for hours on waterlogged routes like Silk Board Junction and Hebbal, with knee-deep water rendering two-wheelers and small cars unusable. Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with visuals of submerged streets and frustrated commuters, with one user lamenting, “BTM Layout streets submerged, rainwater enters homes as the city grapples with poor drainage once again.” The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Bengaluru, forecasting heavy rainfall until May 25, further complicating return-to-office plans.
The flooding has exposed Bengaluru’s chronic infrastructure woes. Clogged stormwater drains, encroachments on lakes, and unplanned urban expansion have exacerbated the crisis. For instance, Bellandur’s flooding was worsened by ongoing lake restoration work, which disrupted natural water flow. Similarly, Kanteerava Stadium, built on the bed of the erstwhile Sampangi Lake, was inundated, serving as a stark reminder of the city’s lost water heritage. Sandeep Anirudhan, convener of Citizens’ Agenda for Bengaluru, called the transformation of lakes into urban structures “one of the biggest blunders” in the city’s history.
The economic toll is significant. Bengaluru’s IT sector, a cornerstone of India’s economy, faces productivity losses due to disrupted commutes and damaged infrastructure. Small businesses, like Abdul Salam’s shop in Kengeri, which flooded for the third time in two years, are struggling to recover. The recurring nature of these floods—evident in areas like Rainbow Drive Layout and Manyata Tech Park—has led to growing frustration among residents and business owners, who criticize the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for its inadequate flood mitigation measures.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed that 70% of the 210 identified flood-prone areas have been addressed, with 197 km of stormwater drains constructed. However, critics like Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital, have slammed the government, questioning the allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore on welfare schemes while infrastructure crumbles. “Drains are not cleared, potholes not fully fixed, repeated promises, repeated failures,” Pai posted on X. The government’s measures, including banning basement construction in low-lying areas and removing encroachments on drains, are steps forward, but their implementation remains inconsistent.
The human cost is equally alarming. In BTM Layout, a 63-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy were electrocuted while attempting to clear water from a flooded apartment complex, underscoring the dangers posed by poor infrastructure. In Mahadevapura, a woman died when a compound wall collapsed, adding to the tragedy. Over 150 residents were rescued from Sai Layout, where snakes reportedly entered flooded homes, heightening fears.
As Bengaluru braces for more rain, the city’s workforce faces an uncertain immediate future. While some areas like Kendriya Vihar have seen marginal improvements due to proactive drain maintenance, the broader challenge persists. Urban planners and civic bodies must prioritize sustainable solutions—upgrading drainage systems, restoring lakes, and regulating construction—to prevent Bengaluru from sinking under the weight of its own growth. The city’s reputation as a global tech hub depends on it.
