Bengaluru Records Wettest April Day as Powerful Hailstorm Hits City
Bengaluru witnessed its wettest April day on record as a powerful hailstorm swept across the city on Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature in the city dropped sharply to 18 degrees Celsius, significantly below the normal of 22.5 degrees Celsius for this time of the year.
The storm, accompanied by strong winds reaching up to 75 kmph, caused disruptions across several parts of Bengaluru. Trees were uprooted, and traffic came to a standstill in many areas as the city struggled to cope with the sudden weather change. The IMD issued a warning for more thunderstorms and hailstorms in the coming days, advising residents to stay indoors and take necessary precautions.
The record-breaking rainfall comes as a surprise for April, which is typically a dry month in Bengaluru. The city usually experiences pre-monsoon showers in May, but this year's weather patterns have been unusual. According to the IMD, the heavy downpour was caused by a combination of a trough over the region and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.
Authorities have urged people to avoid venturing out unless necessary and to be cautious of falling trees and power lines. The civic body has deployed teams to clear debris and restore normalcy. This incident highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the region, which experts attribute to climate change.
