Pre-monsoon showers in Bengaluru: IMD warns of hailstorms next week

Bengaluru: With pre-monsoon showers continuing in Bengaluru, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of hailstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with scattered, moderate thundershowers and isolated heavy rainfall in several areas.

N Puviarasan, Head of the Bengaluru Meteorological Centre, clarified that these thundershowers are part of the pre-monsoon activity and do not indicate an early onset of the monsoon.

Some localities, including Malleswaram, experienced light to moderate showers on Friday afternoon. By evening, many parts of the city reported thundershowers. The IMD issued an orange alert (very heavy rainfall) for Bengaluru Urban and Rural for three hours on Friday evening, which was not extended further.

According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, rainfall recorded in various city zones till 7.30 pm on Friday was: Bengaluru East 0.50–4 mm, South 3–24.50 mm, RR Nagar 2.50–47.50 mm, Yelahanka 8–22.50 mm, Dasarahalli 15–30 mm, Mahadevapura 0–10 mm, Bommanahalli 0–16 mm, and West 0–15.50 mm.

As of 8.30 pm, the IMD’s Bengaluru city observatory recorded 6.1 mm of rainfall, HAL Airport recorded 6.4 mm, and the automatic weather station for Bengaluru Urban logged 6 mm.

Slow-moving traffic due to waterlogging was reported at several locations: from the Indian Air Force Station to the airport on Ballari Road; from Vaddarapalya to the Geddalahalli railway underpass towards Hennur; at the RT Nagar CBI Flyover towards the airport; from Hebbal to Goraguntepalya in both directions; from the Binny Mill Railway Station Junction to Hunasemara in both directions; from Mother Dairy Junction towards MS Palya; and at the underpass near Lulu Mall heading towards Majestic.

Traffic delays were also observed on Seshadripuram Main Road towards Jatka Stand due to fallen trees, from Peenya Flyover to Nelamangala Toll Plaza, and from Kuvempu Circle to BEL Circle.

In RR Nagar’s JP Park ward, a tree fall on a house was reported, and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) confirmed that the fallen tree was cleared immediately. Tree falls were also reported in Basavanagudi, Konanakunte, and Mathikere.

Flights diverted

At least six flights were disrupted, with three being diverted to Chennai, according to an airport spokesperson.

Coolest April in 14 years; May expected to stay cooler

Interestingly, the average maximum temperature in Bengaluru in April 2025 was 33.5 degrees Celsius — the lowest for the month since 2011, according to IMD data.

N Puviarasan, Head of Bengaluru Met Centre, noted that May is also expected to remain cooler, with frequent rainfall and gusty winds forecast over the coming weeks.

The maximum and minimum temperatures in Bengaluru over the next two days are likely to hover around 34°C and 21°C, respectively, the IMD said.