Kolkata battles flooding as heavy rains submerge streets and disrupt transport (Photo: ANI)
Kolkata came to a halt on Tuesday as heavy rains inundated vast portions of the city, barely a week before Durga Puja festivities. The record downpour caused massive waterlogging, paralyzed public transport, and killed five people by electrocution.
Heavy overnight rain led water entering into many houses and residential complexes. Streets in the city were flooded with knee-deep water, paralyzing traffic and routines. Footage from various corners of Kolkata revealed streets and localities under water, giving a glimpse of the magnitude of the deluge.
Alipore saw 247.5 mm of rainfall within 24 hours between 6:30 am on September 22 and 6:30 am on September 23, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The worst hit were the southern and eastern fringes of the city with Garia Kamdahari getting 332 mm, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280.2 mm, and Topsia 275 mm within a couple of hours, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) said.
The rains flooded both metro and train operations. Waterlogging in Howrah and Sealdah railway stations occurred, impacting suburban trains as well as long-distance ones like the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri, Howrah-Gaya, and Howrah-Jamalpur Vande Bharat Express. Metro operations between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan were disrupted, with truncated operations on other routes.
Schools in the hit areas announced holidays, office-goers found it difficult to commute to work amid traffic jams and meager public transport, while authorities sent water pumps to drain roads and railway yards. Relentless inflow from the surrounding regions hampered relief efforts.
The IMD has predicted more rain in Kolkata and South Bengal, issuing a warning of heavy showers in districts such as Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura. Citizens have been warned to be on guard as the city prepares for more showering before one of its largest festivals.
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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