Heavy downpour disrupts daily life in Kolkata with schools closed and power outages reported.
Heavy overnight rainfall on Monday has caused significant waterlogging in various parts of Kolkata, West Bengal. According to the Hindustan Times, the city recorded a total of 247.4 mm of rainfall starting from 8:30 AM that day. The unexpected downpour led to the closure of schools on Tuesday, and numerous areas experienced power outages as a result of the adverse weather conditions.
Water entered homes and residential complexes, prompting concern among residents. Reports from PTI highlighted that the inundation affected many localities, creating a challenging environment for those living in the affected areas. The city’s metro service also faced disruptions, with operations suspended on several stretches due to the flooding.
Social media platforms were flooded with videos and images depicting submerged roads and parked vehicles, illustrating the extent of the waterlogging. The situation in Kolkata was alarming, with many users sharing updates about the heavy rainfall and its impact on daily life. As one tweet noted, major areas were flooded like never before, coinciding with the approach of the Durga Puja festival, which is a significant event in the region.
The India Meteorological Department issued warnings regarding the weather conditions, indicating that a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal was likely to bring continued heavy rainfall to several southern districts of West Bengal. The weather agency specifically mentioned that heavy rainfall was expected to persist in East and West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura districts in South Bengal until Wednesday.
Furthermore, the IMD anticipated the formation of another low-pressure area over the east-central and adjacent north Bay of Bengal around September 25. This new weather system is expected to move west-northwestward, likely developing into a depression over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal off the coasts of South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh around September 26.
In light of the heavy rainfall and its repercussions, several airlines issued advisories regarding potential delays. IndiGo informed passengers via social media that some routes across Kolkata had been affected by the rain, resulting in temporary blocks or diversions. They advised travelers to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for their commutes.
SpiceJet also updated its passengers, stating that the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Kolkata could impact all departures and arrivals, as well as subsequent flights. Travelers were urged to check their flight status to stay informed about any changes that might arise due to the inclement weather.
