Kolkata Reels Under Torrential Rainfall, Five Dead as City Goes Underwater Ahead of Durga Puja
Kolkata and its adjoining areas were left crippled on Tuesday after a night of relentless downpour submerged large parts of the city, disrupted transport services, and claimed five lives due to electrocution. The heavy showers, which began past midnight, inundated several neighborhoods, with water entering homes and residential complexes just days before Durga Puja festivities.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Alipore recorded 239 mm of rainfall till 5:30 am, which increased to 247.4 mm by 6:30 am. Between September 22 and 23, the city recorded 247.5 mm of rainfall within 24 hours — one of the heaviest spells in recent years.
The southern and eastern parts of the city bore the brunt of the deluge. Data from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) revealed alarming rainfall figures across multiple localities: Garia Kamdahari received 332 mm, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280.2 mm, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, and Chetla 262 mm. Other severely affected areas included Mominpur (234 mm), Chingrihata (237 mm), Palmer Bazar (217 mm), Dhapa (212 mm), CPT Canal (209.4 mm), Ultadanga (207 mm), Kudghat (203.4 mm), Pagladanga in Tangra (201 mm), Kulia (196 mm), and Thanthania (195 mm).
The impact of the rainfall extended to transport networks. Railway operations in Howrah and Sealdah divisions were severely hit, with extensive waterlogging reported at Howrah station yard, Sealdah South yard, Chitpur North Cabin, and several car sheds. Many suburban trains were either short-terminated or short-originated.
Long-distance trains, including the Howrah–New Jalpaiguri, Howrah–Gaya, and Howrah–Jamalpur Vande Bharat Express, had to be rescheduled. Authorities deployed water pumps at multiple points, but efforts were hampered as water continued to flow back from adjoining areas.
Kolkata Metro services too faced partial disruption due to flooding, though flight operations at the airport remained largely unaffected. Pumps were deployed across the apron area to prevent water accumulation, ensuring only minor delays in air traffic.
The IMD attributed the heavy rainfall to a low-pressure system over the northeast Bay of Bengal, which is expected to move northwestwards. This system will likely bring more rain across South Bengal districts, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura, until Wednesday. Another low-pressure area is forecast to form over the east-central Bay of Bengal around September 25, raising concerns of continued wet weather.
On Tuesday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 30.5°C, 2.3 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 24.6°C, 1.4 degrees below normal. Humidity remained extremely high, ranging between 79% and 100%.
The incessant rainfall has arrived at a sensitive time for the city, where Durga Puja preparations are in full swing. Waterlogging has delayed pandal construction, disrupted supply chains, and dampened festive markets. For many residents, the calamity has cast a shadow over what is usually Kolkata’s most vibrant and anticipated season.
