Sudden Storm in Bengaluru Leaves 10 Dead, Causes Widespread Damage
Heavy rain, hail, and strong winds disrupt city life, uproot trees, and trigger fatal incidents
A sudden spell of intense rain brought life in Bengaluru to a standstill on Wednesday evening, leaving 10 people dead and causing extensive damage across the city, according to officials.
The storm, accompanied by hail and strong winds, lasted for nearly an hour but had a severe impact. Trees were uprooted, electric poles collapsed, and several roads were flooded, making many areas inaccessible and disrupting traffic during peak hours.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, where a compound wall collapsed due to the heavy rain. Seven people, including a six year old girl, lost their lives in the incident. Among the victims were two individuals from Kerala who were visiting the city on a study tour and had taken shelter near the wall when it gave way.
In another incident, a 35 year old man named Raghu died from electrocution on Bannerghatta Road near Vega City Mall. A similar tragedy was reported in Yarab Nagar, where a student, Syed Sufiyan, was electrocuted while trying to park his motorcycle during the rain.
In Chamarajapet, another fatality was recorded when a cement block crashed through the roof of a house, killing a man identified as Manjunath on the spot.
Authorities confirmed that the deaths were caused by a combination of wall collapse, electrocution, and structural damage triggered by the storm.
The rainfall also caused widespread destruction across the city. At least 87 trees were uprooted and more than 130 branches were broken, damaging vehicles parked along the roads. Civic teams have begun clearing operations, but restoration work is still ongoing in several areas.
Major roads and underpasses were submerged, including the busy KR Circle underpass, which had to be closed due to severe waterlogging and drainage issues. Traffic movement was heavily affected, with commuters stranded for hours amid fallen trees and stalled vehicles.
Officials also reported partial damage to buildings in multiple areas. The sudden intensity of the storm caught many residents unprepared. Authorities have now issued a rain alert for the next three days, urging people to remain cautious.