Bengaluru experienced severe weather conditions on April 29, 2026, as heavy rains and hailstorms lashed the city, causing widespread disruption and claiming multiple lives. The unexpected downpour led to significant flooding, traffic chaos, and damage to property, throwing normal life out of gear.
The intense weather event resulted in at least nine fatalities across the city in three separate incidents. A particularly tragic event occurred when a portion of the compound wall of Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital collapsed during the heavy rain, killing seven people and injuring seven others. Those affected were reportedly taking shelter near the wall to escape the sudden deluge. In other incidents, two individuals died of electrocution. Thousands of commuters were left stranded as arterial roads became submerged, with knee-deep water causing traffic to slow to a crawl and numerous vehicles to break down.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, the Bengaluru city station recorded 111 mm of rain by 8:30 p.m. on April 29, a record for the date, surpassing the previous high of 108.6 mm recorded on April 19, 2001. The Kempegowda International Airport recorded trace rainfall, while HAL airport received 24.7 mm.
Residents in low-lying areas, such as Jai Bheem Nagar, reported significant damage to their homes, with household items, supplies, and personal belongings lost to the flooding. Many residents in these areas expressed frustration over recurring issues, pointing to a lack of proper drain maintenance and civic neglect as contributing factors to the repeated losses they endure during heavy rainfall. Similar sentiments were echoed by residents on Bannerghatta Road, who described the road’s deteriorated condition, with broken surfaces and uneven footpaths exacerbating the impact of the rain.
The sudden storm also impacted businesses. Bookworm, a well-known bookstore on Church Street, reported extensive damage, with approximately 5,000 books ruined by the waterlogging. The hailstones reportedly clogged drainage outlets, leading to rapid flooding within the premises.
Government buildings were not spared, with water entering offices on the second and third floors of Vidhana Soudha, affecting the workspaces of ministers and opposition leaders. Trees were uprooted in numerous locations, including Malleswaram, Shanthinagar, and Seshadripuram, with officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority reporting uprooted trees at nearly 50 locations. Fire and emergency services were deployed to clear roads and manage traffic.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the affected sites and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also attended to the scene and confirmed that a total of eight deaths were attributed to rain-related incidents across the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of life and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
The India Meteorological Department had issued an orange alert for “very heavy rainfall” shortly before the storm hit, with wind speeds recorded up to 50 kmph. The weather department has forecast intermittent thundershowers with winds of 30–40 kmph over the next 48 hours.
The intensity of the rainfall surprised authorities, and special engineering teams are to be deployed to vulnerable areas. The severe weather event has highlighted the city’s infrastructure vulnerabilities and the ongoing challenges in managing urban flooding.
The Chenab Times News Desk