By Kavita Mistry 
Bengaluru witnessed over 240 mm of rainfall in just two days, submerging roads, choking underpasses, and crippling transport services. The city’s major IT corridors like Koramangala, HSR Layout, and Marathahalli turned into water-logged zones, halting daily life and disrupting commute for thousands of professionals.
Cognizant Issues WFH Advisory
Amid the chaos, Cognizant Technology Solutions became one of the first major firms to officially mandate work from home on May 20. The US-based IT services giant employs around 40,000 people in Bengaluru. The proactive move helped employees avoid dangerous travel conditions.
Other IT Firms Show Mixed Responses
While Infosys, which follows a three-day in-office policy, didn’t issue any formal advisory, most employees chose to stay home. L&T Technology Services did not release a formal directive either but offered flexibility depending on internal team decisions. Many professionals were left confused due to the absence of clear WFH mandates from their companies.
City Infrastructure Faces the Heat
Over 20 lakes neared overflow limits, and key areas like Silk Board Junction and Manyata Tech Park experienced severe flooding. Photos and videos flooded social media, showing knee-deep water in tech parks and marooned commuters. Some even blamed misgovernance and unplanned urbanization for the mess.
Political Response and Public Outcry
Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan called on all companies to declare two days of WFH to ensure safety. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar acknowledged the long-standing issues with city infrastructure and promised long-term solutions instead of temporary patchwork.