India, April 30 -- A sudden spell of intense rain and hailstorm swept across Karnataka's Bengaluru on Wednesday evening, snapping the city out of peak summer heat but throwing normal life into disarray within hours and causing fatalities.

The sharp downpour, accompanied by gusty winds, cooled the city after temperatures had soared to 37 degrees, but also led to widespread waterlogging, traffic congestion and flooding across several parts.

Several areas reported waist-deep water, while key government offices, including parts of Vidhana Soudha, were inundated. The sudden volume of rain overwhelmed civic infrastructure, leaving commuters stranded and disrupting routine activity across the city.

The storm also turned deadly, with seven peo...