Bengaluru Flood Help: Who to Call, What to Do, How to Stay Safe

(Representational featured image courtesy Shutterstock)

If you’re in Bengaluru right now, you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Waking up to flooded streets, traffic chaos, and water entering homes isn’t just stressful — it’s scary. But even in the midst of this, know that help is available, and there are steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. This guide brings together the most essential updates and emergency contacts so that you know what to do, who to call, and how to navigate the next few days with more confidence.

What’s happening in the city?

Between Sunday night (May 18) and Monday morning (May 19), Bengaluru recorded 130 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours — one of the heaviest pre-monsoon spells in recent years. This led to extensive flooding across key areas like Koramangala, Indiranagar, Silk Board, HRBR Layout, Electronic City, HSR Layout, BTM Layout, Marathahalli, Manyata Tech Park, Yelahanka, Kengeri, and RR Nagar. Roads, underpasses, and even flyovers saw severe waterlogging.

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Several residential areas — including Sri Sai Layout, Rainbow Drive Layout, and Trinity Fortune Layout — reported water entering homes, with BBMP evacuating residents using boats and tractors. At least five deaths have been reported, including incidents of electrocution and a wall collapse. Over 500 homes have been affected, and transport has been hit hard, with traffic jams across key junctions and partial shutdowns of city bus services. 

Emergency contacts you should know

Save these numbers or share them with neighbours and friends — they’re your lifeline right now.

  • BBMP Control Room (24×7): 080-2266 0000
  • BBMP Toll-Free Helpline: 1533
  • BBMP WhatsApp Helpline: 94806 85700
  • BESCOM (Electricity Issues): 1912
  • BESCOM WhatsApp: 9449844640
  • BWSSB (Water Supply): 1916
  • Police: 100
  • Fire Services: 101
  • Ambulance: 102
  • Disaster Management: 1070
  • Women’s Helpline: 1091
  • Child Helpline: 1098
  • Senior Citizen’s Helpline: 1098

What you can do right now

Here are some quick but important steps to help you stay safe during and after the flooding:

  • Stay indoors unless necessary: Don’t wade or drive through waterlogged streets — manholes may be open, and electrical risks are high.
  • Switch off your mains: If your home is flooded or damp near electrical sockets, turn off the power supply to avoid electrocution.
  • Use boiled or bottled water: Water contamination is common during floods. Avoid using tap water for drinking or cooking.
  • Check on others: Especially the elderly, people with disabilities, or those living alone. A quick call or knock could make a difference.
  • Keep emergency supplies ready: Torch, power bank, basic meds, snacks, water, and your phone — keep these close.
  • Report issues promptly: Whether it’s a tree fall, a power cut, or a water overflow, call the right helpline early — don’t wait.
  • Avoid basements and underground areas: These can flood quickly and pose significant risks.
  • Stay informed: Regularly check updates from official sources such as the BBMP and IMD for the latest information on weather conditions and relief measures.
Keep essential supplies within reach — a torch, power bank, basic medicines, snacks, drinking water, and your phone.
Keep essential supplies within reach — a torch, power bank, basic medicines, snacks, drinking water, and your phone.

Bengaluru has seen its share of floods before — and every time, the city’s people have come together to help one another through it. Whether you’re offering support or asking for it, remember: it’s okay to need help. What matters is staying safe and looking out for each other. We hope this guide helps you feel a little more prepared, and a little less alone.

Stay safe. Keep calm. Help is just a call away.

Edited by Leila Badyari

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