Kolkata reeled under the impact of relentless overnight rain on Tuesday, which left several parts of the city waterlogged, brought traffic to a halt, and claimed at least three lives due to electrocution.
According to police, two of the deaths were reported from Beniapukur and Khidderpore, while another person died in Netaji Nagar. The incidents highlighted the dangers of exposed or submerged electric wires during flooding.
Several schools announced a holiday as waterlogged streets and heavy traffic snarls made commuting nearly impossible. Many residential areas, particularly in the southern and eastern belts of the city, saw rainwater entering homes and apartment complexes.
Data from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation showed Garia Kamdahari recording the highest rainfall of 332 mm within a few hours. Other affected areas included Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm), Ballygunge (264 mm), and Thantania in north Kolkata (195 mm).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the downpour to a low-pressure system over the northeast Bay of Bengal. It forecast continued heavy rainfall in South Bengal districts, especially Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura, until Wednesday. The IMD further warned that another low-pressure system could form over the Bay of Bengal around September 25, bringing more rain to the region.
The heavy rain also disrupted flight schedules, prompting airlines to issue travel advisories. Passengers have been urged to monitor flight status updates on official websites and apps and to plan for possible delays.
Kolkata Metro services were hit hard, with severe waterlogging reported between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations on the Blue Line. Services between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan were suspended as a safety precaution. “Truncated operations are being run between Dakshineswar and Maidan stations. Passenger safety remains our top priority, and normal services will resume as soon as possible,” a Metro spokesperson said.
City authorities have appealed to residents to remain indoors unless necessary and to exercise caution while venturing out. With more rain on the horizon, Kolkata continues to brace for further disruptions in the coming days.