‘Battery ok, engineers not’: Bengaluru CEO’s 'IP67' quip over flooded car goes viral

BENGALURU: A spell of heavy rain was all it took to send parts of India’s Silicon Valley 'underwater' on Tuesday, as Bengaluru witnessed widespread waterlogging that disrupted traffic, stranded office-goers and sparked fresh concerns over the city’s long-standing infrastructure woes. A car belonging to Arun Vinayak, co-founder of a local energy startup, was seen nearly submerged in waters.He shared an image of his waterlogged vehicle on X (formerly Twitter), joking that to work in India, “your office, home and car need to be IP67 certified”—a nod to the international waterproofing standard used in electronics. His sardonic remark — "#underwater #batteryok #engineersnotok" — quickly resonated with other city dwellers grappling with the downpour.Bengaluru rain The rain, averaging 42.7mm across Bengaluru, exposed the fragile state of its drainage network. Roads turned into streams, and office commuters navigated knee-deep water in the absence of a viable public warning or mitigation system. Yet, while much of the city reeled under water, one area stood out. RR Nagar zone — which recorded a staggering 150mm of rainfall overnight, the highest in 10 years — reported minimal flooding.According to officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the credit lies with preventive measures: timely cleaning of stormwater drains, efficient garbage removal, and a well-coordinated flood management plan. “The Vrishabhavathi Valley passes through this region, making it prone to flooding,” a BBMP official said. “But regular maintenance and a system of 42 interlinked lakes helped us avoid the worst.” The contrast has renewed debate over the need for sustainable urban planning. Experts have repeatedly warned that Bengaluru’s unchecked construction, often near lakes and in low-lying areas, has left it vulnerable to even moderate rain.