Kolkata is facing significant challenges as heavy rainfall, which persisted for nearly seven hours from Monday night into Tuesday morning, has inundated large parts of the city. According to police and government officials, the intense downpour has brought daily life to a near standstill, impacting traffic, public transportation, and everyday activities.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast similar weather conditions for Kolkata and surrounding regions, with predictions of more showers around September 25. This outlook has put many Durga Puja organizers on alert as they prepare for the upcoming festivities.
A spokesperson for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) confirmed that emergency instructions have been issued to activate drainage pumps to clear the waterlogged streets.
Services Disrupted:
- Train and Metro Services Severely Affected: Waterlogging on tracks has caused significant disruptions. Notably, a major section of the Metro’s Blue Line (Dakshineswar–Shahid Khudiram) experienced heavy flooding between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations, leading to an immediate suspension of services on this route. Metro services between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations have also been suspended to ensure passenger safety, with partial services operating between Dakshineswar and Maidan.
- Rail and Circular Railway Disruptions: Train movement in the Sealdah south section was impacted by waterlogged tracks. Skeleton services were maintained in the Sealdah north and main sections, while train services to and from Howrah and Kolkata terminals faced partial disruptions. The Circular Railway line experienced a suspension of services due to waterlogging at Chitpur yard.
- Impact on Daily Life: Numerous schools have declared holidays in response to the heavy rains and submerged roads. Commuters and office-goers faced considerable difficulties reaching their destinations as public transport was severely affected, and traffic congestion worsened the situation.
- Rainfall Data and Forecast: The IMD has warned that a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal is likely to bring heavy rainfall to several districts in South Bengal. Southern and eastern parts of Kolkata recorded particularly high rainfall amounts, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, and Thantania in north Kolkata recording 195 mm. The weather office anticipates heavy rainfall in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura districts until Wednesday. An additional low-pressure system is expected to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25, potentially bringing more rain to the region.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has been actively reviewing the city’s rain situation from the KMC control room, highlighting the critical impact on areas like Garia Kamdahari, Jodhpur Park, Kalighat, Topsia, Ballygunge, and Thantania.