The torrential rain that lashed Kolkata throughout the night has disrupted normal life in the city. Several areas have been flooded, and traffic has come to a standstill on the roads.
IMD Rainfall Alert: Torrential rains that lashed Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, throughout Tuesday night disrupted normal life in the city. Several areas have been flooded, and there have been reports of electric shocks in the water. Five people have died so far due to electrocution. Over 250 millimeters of rain fell in the city in the last six hours, causing water to accumulate to knee-high levels in many parts.
Water being pumped out from affected areas
Due to heavy overnight rains, the area between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations has become flooded. To ensure the safety of passengers, metro services between Shaheed Khudiram and Maidan stations have been suspended. Limited metro services are currently operating between Dakshineshwar and Maidan stations. Water is being pumped out of the affected area. Metro Railway officials and staff have reached the site to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
The sudden change in weather has severely disrupted traffic, causing a complete standstill of vehicle movement in several areas. Metro and rail services have also been affected.
The weather department stated that the rainfall was caused by a low-pressure system that formed over the northeastern Bay of Bengal. The overnight rain caused water to accumulate on many roads in the city, and water also entered several houses and residential complexes.
According to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), rainfall of 332 mm was recorded in Garia Kamdohari, 285 mm in Jodhpur Park, 280 mm in Kalighat, 275 mm in Topsia, and 264 mm in Ballygunge.
Record rainfall in Kolkata within five hours
- Kamardahari – 332 mm
- Jodhpur Park – 285 mm
- Kalighat – 280.2 mm
- Tapsia – 275 mm
- Ballygunge – 264 mm
- Chetla – 262 mm
- Mominpur – 234 mm
- Chingrighata – 237 mm
- Palmer Bazar – 217 mm
- Dahapa – 212 mm
- C.P.T. Canal – 209.4 mm
- Ultadanga – 207 mm
- Kudghat – 203.4 mm
- Pagaldanga (Tangra) – 201 mm
- Kulia (Tangra) – 196 mm
- Thanthania – 195 mm
Waterlogging at Howrah and Sealdah yards and car sheds
Following heavy overnight rains, waterlogging was observed at Howrah station yard, Sealdah South station yard, Chitpur North cabin, various car sheds, and several locations within the Sealdah yard. Railway tracks in the Howrah and Sealdah divisions are also flooded. Pumps have been deployed at several locations to drain the water, but due to water flowing in from the surrounding areas, the water is flowing back into the railway yards, causing further problems.
Some suburban trains were stopped and restarted mid-journey this morning (Tuesday).
Railway services affected…
Sealdah North and Main: Partial services resumed from Platform No. 7 on the suburban section.
13113 UP Hazarduari Express has been cancelled from Kolkata.
13177 Sealdah Jangipur Express has been cancelled from Sealdah.
Train operations have been suspended in the Sealdah South section due to waterlogging.
Train operations on the Circular Railway line have been suspended due to waterlogging on the tracks and in Chitpur yard.
Weather department alert…
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a low-pressure area has formed over the northeast Bay of Bengal, which is likely to move towards the northwest. This could cause heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of South Bengal. Heavy rainfall is expected in Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura districts until Wednesday.
The weather department also stated that another low-pressure area is likely to form around the eastern-central and northern Bay of Bengal around September 25, which could lead to further rainfall in the coming days.
