Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? The State Library in the city has the largest collection of Braille books in the world.
🦟 Zika detected
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has announced that five cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Jigani.
What’s it about? The cases were identified between August 4 and 15. After discovering the initial case, health authorities conducted tests in the surrounding area and found four additional Zika infections.
- Containment measures have been implemented in response to the outbreak.
- Health authorities have emphasised that Zika’s symptoms are similar to dengue and the treatment for both diseases is the same.
Close watch: The detection of multiple Zika cases has raised concerns about the spread of the virus in the city. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to prevent further transmission.
🚳 Stunt bikers’ vehicles thrown
Fed up with dangerous stunts performed by bikers, a crowd gathered on the Tumakuru flyover and took matters into their own hands.
What’s it about? In a fit of rage, miffed commuters tossed two scooters belonging to stunt performers off the bridge onto the busy highway below. The exact date of the incident is uncertain but is believed to be around August 15.
- The incident drew sharp criticism from all parties involved, who deemed their actions reckless.
- Local police have initiated investigations into the matter, filing complaints against both parties involved for endangering public safety.
Video evidence: Videos recorded by passersby show people gathered in large numbers on the flyover and screaming and shouting at the bikers performing stunts, such as wheelies, and then throwing the two bikes, including a scooter, over the flyover.
⚡ Power cut
The city is facing the prospect of power disruptions until Tuesday, August 20.
What’s it about? The cuts are due to planned maintenance and upgrades being conducted by BESCOM and KPTCL, the city’s power distribution and transmission companies. The outages are expected to primarily affect areas in the western, northern, eastern, and parts of southern Bengaluru.
- Most power cuts are scheduled between 10 am and 3 pm, although some may start earlier and extend until 6 pm.
- These power cuts are to be a common occurrence for the city due to ongoing infrastructure projects, including cable upgrades, pole replacements, and tree trimming.
Exact locations: Specific areas slated for power cuts include HMT Road, Peenya, KHB Rajeshwari Nagar, Rajagopalnagar, Chamundipura, KMF Mother Dairy, Major Unnikrishnan Road, Yelahanka Old Town, Konankunte, Talaghattapura, Adugodi, Koramangala, and more.
🏥 OPDs suspended
Doctors in Bengaluru participated in a nationwide strike on Saturday, halting OPD services in most hospitals across the city.
What’s it about? This action was taken in response to the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata. The protesting doctors demanded a thorough investigation into the Kolkata incident, the implementation of a central law to protect healthcare workers, and enhanced security measures in hospitals and medical colleges.
- Despite the OPD shutdown, emergency services and scheduled surgeries continued uninterrupted.
- Doctors from various hospitals and medical associations also gathered for demonstrations and protests across Bengaluru.
Doctors’ demands: The protesting doctors demand that hospitals be declared safe zones, the establishment of police outposts in medical colleges, and improved working conditions for healthcare professionals.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Can you perform a wheelie?
- I can perform a wheelie.
- I cannot perform a wheelie.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What do you generally do to spend time during a power outage?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In Other News…
- Bengaluru police registered 33 cases out of a single incident of a group of people performing wheelies on city roads and making abusive gestures towards passersby.
- Jayanagar residents performed ‘Pothole Puja’ on the occasion of Varamahalakshmi as a symbolic protest.
- Shangri-La Bengaluru has appointed Debanjan Kundu as Director of Sales and Marketing.
- Saarthi AI’s founder’s passport with a US visa was allegedly stolen by a disgruntled ex-employee affected by mass layoffs.
- Kerala Blasters will face Bengaluru FC in the Durand Cup quarterfinal.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!