Overnight rain and floods paralyse Kolkata; 10 dead; IMD has more bad news
Record rainfall, the highest in four decades, triggers widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption, with nine deaths caused by electrocution
At least 10 people were killed, nine of them due to electrocution, as overnight torrential rain — among the heaviest in four decades — left Kolkata and adjoining districts paralysed on Tuesday (September 23), disrupting air, rail and road transport, shutting educational institutions, and prompting the state government to advance Puja holidays.
The deluge — 251.4 mm in less than 24 hours — was the highest since 1986 and fourth-highest single-day rainfall in 137 years. The highest ever recorded was 369.6 mm in 1978, followed by 253 mm in 1888, and 259.5 in 1986.
The downpour turned arterial roads into rivers, snapping Metro and train services, and throwing air travel into disarray as the city gasped for normalcy ahead of Bengal’s biggest festival — Durga Puja — next week.
Also read: Kolkata Durga Puja 2025: Top 10 theme pandals this year
City under siege
Lakhs of Kolkatans — especially those in southern and eastern parts — woke up on Tuesday to a city under siege by water. Motorcycles and cars bobbed like abandoned boats, buses broke down mid-way, and commuters trudged barefoot through filthy floodwaters clutching their belongings over their heads.
“I had to walk nearly 3 km in waist-deep water from Lake Gardens to Rashbehari Avenue. I don’t know how I will get back home,” office-goer Rupa Chatterjee told news agency PTI.
Those stranded in app cabs complained of exorbitant surge fares, while many others waited for hours — in vain — at bus stops. “Autos refused to ply, cabs demanded Rs 600 for a ride that usually costs Rs 150. We were left helpless,” said a commuter at Park Circus.
Kolkatans had a harrowing time on Tuesday with arterial roads turning into rivers, snapping Metro and suburban train services, the city's lifelines | PTI Photos
Blow to traders, Puja committees
In south Kolkata’s Garia and Jodhpur Park, the ground floors or homes and shops were under knee- to waist-deep water. Many frantically shifted furniture to upper floors, while traders at Gariahat (the largest market in south Kolkata) and College Street (the famed hub of books in central Kolkata) tried in vain to salvage soaked stocks of books, garments and electronics.
With only five days to go for Durga Puja, the shopping hub of Gariahat has been bursting at the seams, and this crisis came as a big blow to the traders.
Workers at Puja pandals across south Kolkata were seen pumping out water with makeshift hoses and drains, fearing damage to decorative structures.
Mamata blames poor dredging of Farakka barrage, CESC
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the downpour as “unprecedented”, blaming poor dredging of the Farakka barrage and lapses by private power utility CESC for the deaths, while appealing to people to stay indoors.
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“I have never seen rain like this. Total 10 people have died, nine of them due to electrocution by open or unattended wires. Eight people died in Kolkata and two others in adjoining areas of Shashan in North 24-Parganas and Amtala in South 24-Parganas. It is so unfortunate. Their families must all be given jobs by the CESC. They must be provided with compensation of at least Rs 5 lakh by CESC,” Mamata said in a virtual address.
Electricity in Kolkata and adjoining areas is supplied by CESC, and not the state government, she said, adding: “It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer because of this. They will do business here, but won’t they modernise? They should send people to the field and fix this.”
“This rain is so unusual. Even our homes are submerged. I feel bad for the Puja pandals as well. Schools have been asked to remain shut and officegoers advised to stay home today and tomorrow,” Mamata said, adding that she was in constant touch with the Mayor, Chief Secretary, and the police.
She slammed the Damodar Valley Corporation for poor dredging of the Farakka barrage, saying every time it rains in Bihar, UP, or Uttarakhand, waterlogging hits Kolkata.
Warning of worse ahead, she said high tide in the Hooghly (Ganga) would hinder drainage as the river was already swollen with water from upstream states.
Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said most parts of the city were waterlogged despite continuous pumping by civic teams. CM Mamata Banerjee has also warned of worse ahead, saying high tide in the Hooghly (Ganga) would hinder drainage as the river was already swollen with water from upstream states | PTI Photos
Early Puja holidays
The state government announced that all government-run educational institutions will remain closed on September 24 and 25. “In view of the situation, Puja holidays are being advanced in state-run institutions,” Education Minister Bratya Basu said. Calcutta University and Jadavpur University suspended academic activities, while private schools either declared holidays or switched to online classes.
Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim admitted that most parts of the city were waterlogged despite continuous pumping by civic teams. “The canals and rivers are full of water, and every time water is drained out, more comes into the city. The situation may not improve until after tonight’s low tide,” he said.
Transport services paralysed
Across the city, arterial roads 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.
Metro services were suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations on the Blue Line since morning, with truncated runs only on the Dakshineswar-Maidan stretch. Eastern Railway halted movement in the Sealdah South section, while skeletal services were attempted in the north and main sections.
Also read: Kolkata Metro increases Green Line services for Durga Puja rush
Circular Railway services were suspended due to waterlogging at Chitpur yard.
Air travel was also hit hard. At least 30 flights were cancelled and 31 others delayed due to heavy rain.
East and south worst hit
The IMD said the rainfall intensity was highest in south and east Kolkata. Garia Kamdahari recorded 332 mm in a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm) and Ballygunge (264 mm). North Kolkata’s Thanthania recorded 195 mm.
The 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.
(With agency inputs)