Bengaluru in Downpour: 5,000 Books Destroyed as Storm Ravages City
Bengaluru in Downpour: 5,000 Books Destroyed as Storm Ravages City
Severe rains flood Bengaluru, destroying thousands of books at a landmark bookstore and triggering casualties as trees topple and streets flood.
Bengaluru woke to a relentless downpour that turned streets into rivers, disrupted transit, and knocked out internet services. At the iconic Bookworm bookstore on Church Street, 5,000 books worth about Rs 14 lakh were destroyed as floodwaters surged inside.
Across the city, more than 170 trees were uprooted, blocking roads and triggering power and internet outages while drivers navigated debris-strewn streets. A woman was injured when a tree fell in a public space.
In a separate tragedy, a wall about eight feet high at the Bowring and Lady Curzon hospital complex collapsed following the storm, killing ten people and injuring several others. The incident drew condolences from officials and prompted a preliminary inquiry.
The state government announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those killed and offered free treatment to the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident was unfortunate, underscoring the scale of the disaster.
The city had seen elevated temperatures in the weeks prior, making the downpour and hailstorm a swift turn from heat to havoc. As relief and cleanup begin, residents and businesses brace for more unsettled weather and work to recover from the losses, including Bookworm's substantial bibliographic damage.
