Heavy rains in Bengaluru have caused significant damage to well-known independent bookstore The Bookworm, with thousands of books reportedly destroyed after floods hit its premises.
Pictures shared by the store on social media showed waterlogging inside the store, with knee-deep water filling narrow aisles and soaking stacks of books. The visuals highlighted the extent of the damage caused by the sudden downpour.
“We lost 4,000 to 5,000 books due to heavy rain in Bangalore,” the bookstore said in an Instagram post, confirming the extent of the loss.
Thousands of books damaged in the midst of waterlogging
An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 books were destroyed by the floods, many of which were stored floor to ceiling — a common feature of a store known for its densely packed shelves.
Located on busy Church Street, the bookshop has long been a destination for readers looking for new and used titles across a wide range of genres. The impact of the flood was therefore particularly significant and affected a large part of its stock.
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The damage comes in the wake of heavy rains that have lashed several parts of Bengaluru in recent days, leading to waterlogging in many areas.
A cultural center for readers in the city
Established more than two decades ago, The Bookworm has built a strong reputation among the city’s reading community. It is often considered a cultural landmark for bibliophiles in Bengaluru, attracting regular visitors as well as casual readers.
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The store is run by Krishna Gowda, who is widely known as ‘Knihomol Krishna’ or ‘The Librarian of Bengaluru’ among customers. He was credited with maintaining an independent bookstore in a prime commercial area, even as rising rents and changing reading habits made it difficult for such businesses to survive.
Social media support is pouring in
After the bookstore’s post, messages of support from customers, readers and social media users began pouring in. Many expressed concern over the loss and offered help in various forms.
Several users in the comments asked how they could help, with some suggesting direct purchases as a way to support the business’ recovery. Others offered wider help, reflecting the strong connection the bookstore has built with its community over the years.
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Comments included offers to “buy more books than ever before” and requests for details on how to contribute to recovery efforts.
User wrote: “Is there anything we can do to help? Please let us know!”
Another user commented: “Krishna sir let us know if we can be of any help… sorry.”
“I’m really sorry that something like this happened to me..but not this much..it’s really unimaginable to go through this,” wrote a third user.
Rain disruption in Bengaluru
The incident is part of a larger pattern of rain-related disruptions in Bengaluru. The city has been witnessing heavy rains for the past few days, resulting in flooding in low-lying areas and affecting normal life.
Authorities had earlier issued an orange alert for the city, warning of intense rainfall. During this period, there were also reports of related incidents, including damage to infrastructure such as the collapse of a wall at Bowring Hospital.
The financial impact is yet to be assessed
The bookstore has confirmed the number of lost books, but has not yet provided an estimate of the financial damage caused by the floods. Given the extent of the stock affected, the loss is expected to be significant, although exact figures remain unclear.
Meanwhile, members of the reading community continue to reach out and encourage the store to share ways they can help – whether through purchases, donations or other forms of support.
