BENGALURU: In a striking reflection of public outrage, a red carpet that had been laid out for chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar’s visit to flood-hit areas in Bengaluru was hastily removed on Wednesday. The move, ordered by the zonal commissioner of East BBMP, came amid widespread criticism over the optics of ceremonial arrangements in the midst of a worsening humanitarian crisis. The carpet had been rolled out in HBR Layout, one of the severely affected areas where residents are still reeling from the aftermath of intense flooding. The decision to prepare a formal welcome for visiting dignitaries drew sharp rebuke from locals and onlookers alike, many of whom expressed disbelief at what they saw as misplaced priorities. The zonal commissioner personally supervised the removal, stating that the administration’s focus must remain firmly on relief and rehabilitation, not on pageantry.

The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of unrelenting rain across Bengaluru. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Wednesday, following a soaked Tuesday. In response to the weather warning, several tech companies and multinational corporations offered work-from-home options to staff, citing safety concerns during the daily commute. The city recorded an average rainfall of 42.7mm, with some areas faring far worse. RR Nagar zone, for instance, received a staggering 150mm of rain on Monday night — the highest in over a decade.