Kolkata Faces Severe Flooding After Heavy Rainfall
Kolkata experienced widespread flooding on Tuesday following very heavy overnight rainfall, which left streets submerged and vehicles stranded. The deluge also impacted Durga Puja pandals, leading to significant disruptions across the city. Public transportation faced severe interruptions, with both train and Metro services suspended, causing daily life to come to a standstill.
Videos posted online depicted streets transformed into rivers, with cars submerged up to their windows and floodwaters enveloping pandals. Authorities advised residents to exercise caution, refrain from unnecessary travel, and stay updated with information from city officials and airlines, as disruptions in transport continued. Unfortunately, at least seven fatalities due to electrocution in affected areas were confirmed.
Traffic in Kolkata was severely paralyzed, particularly at key intersections such as Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, and College Street, where water levels reached knee-to-waist height. Major routes like EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road, and Central Avenue saw significant congestion, while smaller lanes in south and central Kolkata became impassable. Commuters reported instances of buses breaking down, and taxis as well as app-based cab services either remained inactive or charged elevated fares.
Metro Railway Kolkata announced the suspension of operations between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations, stating that truncated services would operate between Dakshineswar and Maidan. Eastern Railway reported a partial suspension in the Sealdah South sector, while limited services persisted in northern and main sections. Several long-distance trains, including the Kolkata–Jammu Tawi Express and Kolkata–Amritsar Express, were delayed or rescheduled due to waterlogging.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the southern and eastern parts of the city, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm, followed by Jodhpur Park at 285 mm, Kalighat at 280 mm, Topsia at 275 mm, and Ballygunge at 264 mm. Water also infiltrated numerous residential complexes, worsening the situation. Schools declared holidays as workers struggled to reach their workplaces amid the transport chaos.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall in south Bengal districts, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura, forecasting the emergence of a new low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal around September 25.
