Life in Kolkata and south Bengal has been crippled due to rain which continued for the entire night. Major roads, railway station and airport in Kolkata are underwater. Most trains are running late and flights have been rescheduled. Major dams in Damodar in Burdwan and Kangsabati in Bankura have started releasing water raising fear of flood in south Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee to write to central government to alert the state before releasing water from dams of West Bengal.
"I am writing the letter,” said the irrigation minister. Single storied government offices, which were flooded, could not be opened. Buses did not ply and heavy congestion is reported from different parts of the city.
There has been heavy downpour since Monday due to low trough of pressure over the Bay of Bengal, along with seasonal rains. High tide in Hooghly river resulted in clogged drainage system as river water entered the city.
"Due to rise in water level in the river, we could not pump out the water due to rainfall. At the same time, water from Hooghly flooded the streets of Kolkata," said Tarak Singh, member of mayor in council of Kolkata corporation.
