Bengaluru storm kills 10 as hail, record rain and strong winds impact city, India

The storm brought hail, intense rainfall, and strong winds across parts of Bengaluru (population 14.7 million) after weeks of elevated temperatures and humidity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Bengaluru City recorded 110 mm (4.3 inches) of rainfall by 20:30 local time, exceeding the previous April 24-hour high of 108.6 mm (4.28 inches) recorded on April 19, 2001.

The minimum temperature dropped to 18°C (64.4°F), below the normal of 22.5°C (72.5°F), with gusts reaching 75 km/h (47 mph) in parts of the city.

Seven people died when the compound wall of Bowring Hospital in Shivajinagar collapsed during intense thunderstorms on Wednesday evening. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar reported that the dead included a child, four street vendors, and two people from Kerala. Three people were injured and were receiving treatment in the hospital.

Local media reported 3 additional deaths in separate rain-related incidents across Bengaluru. The Times of India reported that a 17-year-old boy was electrocuted in Shivajinagar after stepping into a puddle containing a live wire, a 30-year-old cobbler died of electrocution near Jedi Mara Junction on Bannerghatta Road, and a 35-year-old man died after the roof and wall of his house collapsed in Chamarajpet.

In MG Road, Indiranagar, Koramangala, and BTM Layout, water levels were seen rising up to 0.6–0.9 m (2–3 feet) in low-lying areas. About 170 trees were downed during the storm, mostly in central and western zones of the city, while civil agencies reported they received over 500 distress calls.

Karnataka Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah said the intensity of the rainfall took authorities by surprise, while many Bengalureans said they had never seen such an intense hailstorm.

Ahead of the storm, IMD issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall. Their impact guidance warned of temporary electricity disruption, minor traffic snarls, damage to harvested crops kept in the open, and risks from trees, water bodies, and conductive objects.

The agency advised people to stay indoors, close windows and doors, avoid travel where possible, avoid sheltering under trees, unplug electrical and electronic appliances, and keep away from objects that conduct electricity.

The storm occurred during the pre-monsoon convective period in southern India, when heat, moisture and wind discontinuities can support thunderstorms before the main southwest monsoon season.

References:

¹ 10 dead in Bengaluru rains: Hailstorm, heavy winds unleash chaos in city; watch – TOI – April 30, 2026

² Bengaluru records wettest April day as powerful hailstorm hits city – Deccan Herald – April 29, 2026

Teo Blašković

I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

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