Life was thrown off track in Kolkata after unprecedented heavy rains lashed the city overnight, leaving it flooded and causing multiple deaths. While trains and Metro Railway services were disrupted after tracks were submerged, traffic came to a standstill in many parts of the city.
Kolkata, Salt Lake, Howrah, and adjoining areas are underwater, while many low-lying areas in the suburbs are completely inundated. Residents said the situation was unprecedented, and many areas that have never seen floods are now underwater. The road in front of SSKM Hospital is also submerged, and efforts to drain the water are hampered due to incessant rains.
According to IMD predictions, the worst may not be far from over. The Alipore Meteorological Department has predicted scattered rain with thunder on Tuesday too. The Indian Meteorological Department said a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal is likely to bring heavy rain in several south Bengal districts.
The weather office said heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura districts in South Bengal till Wednesday.
The Alipore Meteorological Department had earlier warned of the low-pressure area causing showers before Pooja festivities. However, the showers of this scale were unexpected.
Another fresh low-pressure area is also likely to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25.
While an orange alert is in place for South 24 Parganas, where heavy to very heavy rain is expected, a yellow alert has been issued for seven districts—East and West Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, East Burdwan, Howrah, and Hooghly. Heavy winds will accompany rain.
Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur are also under a yellow alert. However, things might improve from Wednesday when only light to moderate rain with lightning is forecasted.
Record rainfall
The intensity of rain was higher in the southern and eastern parts of the city, with Garia Kamdahari recording 332 mm of rain in just a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park at 285 mm, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) said. Kalighat recorded 280 mm of rain, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, while Thantania in north Kolkata received 195 mm of rain.
Here is the detailed breakdown:
Kamdahari (Garia): 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
Dhapa: 212 mm
CPT Canal : 209.4 mm
Ultodanga: 207 mm
Kundghat: 203.4 mm
Pagladanga: (Tangra) 201 mm
Kulia (Tangra): 196 mm
Thanthania: 195 mm