Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? The Bugle Rock at Basavanagudi was the location of one of Kempe Gowda’s four towers, deriving its name from the daily ritual of a sentry blowing a bugle there.
🛣️ Be the change
Residents and schools in Balagere took the initiative to clean a dangerous road stretch between Kadubeesanahalli and Varthur.
What’s it about? This area, known for frequent accidents, had been neglected by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) due to financial constraints. Residents and students cleared nearly three km of silt, addressing the stretch’s safety concerns.
- The cleanup was prompted by frequent two-wheeler skids and traffic congestion.
- The residents’ proactive stance also caught the attention of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
BBMP reprimanded: The Deputy CM instructed the BBMP to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such issues in the future, emphasising the priority of residents’ safety and comfort and ensuring that such neglect does not recur.
🚇 Phase-3 gets PIB nod
Namma Metro’s Phase 3 has received approval from the union government’s Public Investment Board (PIB) and now awaits the final nod from the union cabinet.
What’s it about? This phase will add 44.65 km of new metro lines in Bengaluru. The new lines will run from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura and Hosahalli to Kadabagere.
- The first line will cover the western Outer Ring Road with 31 stations, and the second will cover Magadi Road with nine stations.
- Pre-construction activities, including utility shifting, tree enumeration, and land acquisition, have already begun for the Outer Ring Road line.
Cabinet nod pending: While the PIB approval is a significant milestone, the final approval from the union cabinet is still pending. BMRCL has made modifications as requested by the union government, including the introduction of three-coach trains for the 12.5 km Hosahalli-Kadabagere line.
🌧️ Orange alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru and other districts in south interior Karnataka.
What’s it about? This weather is due to a cyclonic circulation off the Gujarat coast. The alert is expected to bring relief to the Malnad and coastal regions experiencing below-average rainfall since the monsoon began.
- Early monsoon rains have resulted in contrasting rainfall patterns, with Bengaluru and North Karnataka receiving excess rainfall, while coastal and Malnad districts face deficits.
- In south interior Karnataka, Bengaluru Urban recorded 135.3 mm of rainfall from June 1 to 24, which is 107% more than its normal average.
Dams recharge: The early monsoon onset has positively impacted reservoir levels, with the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam and nearby dams like Kabini and Harangi benefiting from recent showers.
🦟 Dengue cases double
As the monsoon advances, dengue cases in Bengaluru have significantly increased, with 1,036 cases reported in June, double compared to last year.
What’s it about? BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath is among the infected and is recovering at home. Nath experienced fatigue and fever initially attributed to stress but was later diagnosed with dengue.
- Chief Health Officer Syed Sirajuddin Madani has confirmed the surge in cases, reflecting the city’s heightened dengue threat.
- Health experts warn that Telangana, including Hyderabad, is also facing a severe dengue season, similar to the 2019 outbreak.
Cyclical pattern: Dengue typically peaks every two to three years, and the current rise follows a delayed outbreak due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you engage in social work?
- I engage in social work.
- I have not engaged in social work.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How was your first metro ride experience?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Nandini milk prices have been increased by ₹2 per litre.
- KR Market, Gandhinagar, and Ejipura have received six mobile food banks.
- KMF will soon be launching Nandini brad idli-dosa batter.
- Nagasandra-Madavara metro stretch will not be opening by the scheduled September end.
- Ranga Shankara is hosting a masterclass series for the city’s theatre community.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- My residence is fitted with rainwater harvesting measures: 60.0% 🏆
- My residence is not fitted with rainwater harvesting measures: 40.0%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!