After severe thunderstorms hit Bengaluru on Tuesday, the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Yelahanka area was seen submerged in water in viral videos shared on social media. The flooding showed that the entire parking lot and entrance to the mall were waterlogged, causing problems for customers trying to enter.

Phoenix Mall, in the north of the city, is one of the newest and largest shopping malls in Bangalore. The rain wreaked havoc, flooding all sides of the mall.

The mall management said it was working to drain the water to make the premises accessible to customers.

Since its inauguration in 2023, the mall has made headlines for such incidents, raising questions about its location.

Last year, Bengaluru police ordered the closure of the Phoenix Mall of Asia for 15 days due to traffic jams it was causing in the northern part of the tech capital.

City Police Commissioner B Dayananda issued orders regarding the newly opened mall, which were later challenged in court. The mall’s unforeseen parking arrangements led to heavy traffic jams in the surrounding area.

IMD issues ‘orange’ alert, schools closed today

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Bangalore due to forecast heavy rains, according to a PTI report. Further, as per a government order, all private and aided schools, Anganwadi centers and high schools in the city will remain closed today, October 16, 2024.

Government schools are already closed for Dussehra holidays, the PTI report added.

“Due to continuous rains in Bengaluru, the Met department has issued an orange alert for the next two days. As a precautionary measure in the interest of students, all Taluk Anganwadi centers, private/aided primary and secondary schools in Bengaluru city will be closed on Wednesday,” a government order said.

Due to incessant and heavy rains in Bangalore, the city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has also set up 24×7 exclusive control rooms in its eight zones and also launched a hotline number (1533) to report rain-related problems.