Rain, hailstorms bring relief

Heavy rain, coupled with hailstorms on Saturday evening brought relief from the scorching heat that the city experienced in the past two days.

The weather was sultry in the morning but by evening, dark clouds gathered before the showers lashed the city. Hailstorms in south Bengaluru brought down the temperature further.

According to sources in the BBMP, tree falls were reported from 15 places including Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Kathriguppe, BEML Layout, BHEL, Police Quarters at Kengeri Satellite Town, Vidyapeetha Circle, Hosahalli, Vijayanagar, Nagadenahalli and Nirmala Giri Nagar near BGS Layout.

Commuters had a harrowing time due to waterlogging at many places. Traffic jams were reported at Town Hall, KG Road, JC Road, Shoolay Circle, Ballari Road, Hosur Road, Bannerghatta Road, Lalbagh West Gate Road and Kalasipalyam.

The hailstorm also ruined people’s weekend plans.

India Meteorological Department recorded 3.8 mm rain in the city while there was drizzle around HAL. It has predicted rain and thundershowers in some parts of Bengaluru on Sunday as well.

An IMD official at the Bengaluru centre said pre-monsoon showers occurred due to the upper air trough. She added that Belagavi received heavy  rain on Saturday.

Meanwhile, several parts of the state, including Belagavi city, Vijayapura, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts, received heavy rain on Saturday.

Pre-monsoon showers lashed Belagavi city and surrounding villages and some parts of the district for more than an hour in the afternoon providing much needed respite from scorching summer heat.

Heavy rain also lashed parts of Kodagu district, including Madikeri, Virajpet, Suntikoppa, Kushalnagar, Mayamudi, Konanakatte and Ponnappasanthe.