Bengaluru: Heavy rain that lashed Bengaluru has caused significant damage to an iconic bookstore on Church Street, with over 4,000 books reportedly destroyed after floodwater entered the premises.
Bookstore shares visuals of damage
The Bookworm, a well-known independent bookstore located on Church Street, shared images on social media showing books submerged and floating in rainwater.
In its post, the store said it had lost between 4,000 and 5,000 books due to the flooding. One of the images also showed hailstones covering the ground outside, indicating the intensity of the storm.
Loss worsened by recent stock addition
The impact of the flooding was particularly severe as the store had recently increased its inventory ahead of the summer holiday season.
Store proprietor Krishna said many of the newly stocked books were damaged in the incident. While some copies may be salvaged, a large portion of the collection is beyond recovery.
He noted that modern publishing materials, especially recycled paper, are less resistant to water damage, making preservation difficult. Illustrated books and comics such as Asterix and Obelix are unlikely to survive due to their glossy paper composition.
Community steps forward to help
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support on social media, with readers and book lovers offering assistance to the store.
Many suggested buying damaged books at discounted rates to help the business recover losses. Some users even proposed organising community-driven initiatives similar to past efforts in other cities, where water-damaged books were sold to support affected sellers.
Several individuals expressed willingness to purchase partially damaged books, stating that supporting independent bookstores was more important than the condition of the copies.
Plans to salvage and recover
The bookstore plans to attempt salvaging some of the affected stock by drying books in sunlight. These copies may later be sold at reduced prices.
However, a significant number of books are expected to be discarded due to extensive damage.
Rain disruption continues in city
The flooding incident comes amid ongoing pre-monsoon showers in Bengaluru, which have led to waterlogging and traffic disruptions in multiple parts of the city.
Authorities have issued weather alerts, warning of continued rainfall and thunderstorms over the next few days.
Conclusion
The flooding of a beloved bookstore highlights the broader impact of sudden urban flooding on small businesses. While the losses are substantial, the strong response from the reading community offers hope for recovery and underscores the cultural value of independent bookstores in the city.