Heavy rains trigger flooding, disrupt daily life in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Overnight downpours wreaked havoc in Bengaluru, causing severe waterlogging across several areas, especially around the Kodigehalli and Yelahanka underpasses. Homes were inundated, and roads submerged, prompting rescue efforts and disrupting public services.
In Kodigehalli, the compound wall of the GKVK campus collapsed near Judicial Layout, causing flooding in nearby apartments. Residents of Kendriya Vihar in Yelahanka, which has been frequently impacted by rains, were asked to evacuate.
"Another compound wall has collapsed, and the water level is much higher this time. We were told to evacuate, and NDRF boats have arrived. There will be no power or drinking water for 24-48 hours," said Amruth Kiran, a resident of the complex.
The Yelahanka zonal commissioner inspected the flood-hit areas, while the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) confirmed via a post on X that dewatering efforts were underway. Several homes in layouts such as Basava Samithi, Venkataswamappa, MS Palya, and Telecom Layout also reported flooding.
The impact of the heavy rains extended to air travel as well. Kempegowda International Airport experienced significant disruptions with 20 delayed arrivals. Three IndiGo flights from Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh, along with one Air India flight from Delhi and an international flight from Bangkok, were diverted to Chennai.
The Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner, Jagadish G., ordered the closure of schools and Anganwadi centres on Monday due to the severe weather. Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda visited rain-affected areas and confirmed that the Doddabommasandra Lake overflowed for the first time in 17 years, flooding several lower-lying layouts, including Tatanagar, Bhadrappa Layout, and Balaji Layout. In some places, water levels rose as high as six feet, with power outages reported across the affected zones.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for South Interior Karnataka, including Bengaluru, predicting heavy rains to continue. Over the next 48 hours, the IMD forecasts moderate showers with temperatures ranging from 20 to 29 degrees Celsius. Bengaluru city is expected to receive 17.1 mm of rain, while areas around Bengaluru International Airport and HAL Airport could see 42.7 mm and 36.3 mm, respectively.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
