The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains over Kolkata and the south West Bengal districts for 24 hours as the city grapples with the deluge caused by heavy rains overnight. As many as eight people died in rain-related incidents, and several trains and flight services were cancelled.
According to the IMD, "Under the influence of a low-pressure area over coastal Gangetic West Bengal, adjoining north Odisha, and the northwest Bay of Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected." Kolkata received its heaviest single-day downpour in 37 years on Monday night. According to the weather agency, 251.4mm rainfall was recorded in 24 hours in Kolkata, the highest since 1988.
According to the weather agency, between 3am and 4am on Tuesday, Kolkata received 98mm rainfall, just 2mm short of a cloudburst. "A low-pressure has formed on September 22 morning and it slowly moved to coastal areas of Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and northwest Bay of Bengal in the morning of September 23. Under its influence strong moisture convergence persisted over Kolkata and neighbourhood area," the weather agency said.
The Alipore weather office has warned of more heavy rain in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Bankura districts till Wednesday. Another fresh low-pressure area is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal around September 25.
The heavy downpour overnight disrupted all forms of public transportation, leading to the cancellation of at least 30 flights and several train services. With IMD predicting heavy rains for another day, Durga puja pandal organisers are maintaining vigil to avoid rainwater from spoiling their arrangements.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the situation unprecedented and directed schools to advance puja holidays. She added government officials will work from home for next two days.
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The chief minister blamed the negligence of Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation for the deaths of eight persons due to electrocution. She added kin of the deceased will be given a job besides solatium.
Blaming CESC, she said, "Electricity is supplied by CESC, not us. It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer because of this. They will do business here, but not modernise here? They should send people to the field and fix this.
Key roads in Kolkata, such as EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road and Central Avenue turned into rivers, while traffic crawled for hours at key intersections like Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala and College Street. Smaller lanes in southern and central Kolkata were completely cut off.
