Heavy Rains Flood Kolkata Ahead of Durga Puja, 12 Dead
At least 12 people lost their lives after record-breaking rainfall hit Kolkata and surrounding areas, just days before the city’s biggest annual festival, Durga Puja.
Record Rainfall Since 1988
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Kolkata received 251.6 mm (9.9 inches) of rain in 24 hours, the heaviest downpour since 1988. Most of the rainfall occurred early Tuesday, leaving streets submerged and transport systems crippled.
Lives Lost, City Paralyzed
Officials confirmed that nine deaths were due to electrocution, while two others drowned. The torrential rains brought the city to a standstill, disrupting preparations for Durga Puja. Many pandals (festival structures) and clay idols were damaged in the flooding.
Transport & Power Disruptions
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Roads: Waist-deep water stranded vehicles and forced commuters to wade through streets.
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Trains & Flights: Multiple services were cancelled or delayed.
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Power Supply: Several areas faced long outages, worsening the crisis.
“I got stranded in my hotel as my flight got cancelled and the roads were all waterlogged,” said water and climate expert Ranjan Panda.
Relief and Safety Measures
Authorities deployed pumps to drain water, cleared railway tracks, and launched relief operations, including food distribution. The state government ordered the closure of schools on Wednesday and Thursday, ahead of festival holidays.
Forecast and Warnings
The IMD has warned of more rain in West Bengal and eastern India due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. While conditions are expected to normalize by Wednesday evening, officials have urged residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious.
“This should not have happened after four hours of rain. West Bengal is not in a good condition,” said Sandip Ghosh, a Kolkata resident.
