A night of torrential rain left Kolkata and its suburbs waterlogged on Tuesday, September 23, throwing life out of gear just days before Durga Puja festivities. At least four people died of electrocution in different parts of the city, officials confirmed.
City Submerged
Key areas including Park Street, Salt Lake, Jadavpur, Baghajatin, Golf Green, Behala, and College Street saw knee-to-waist-deep water, bringing traffic and public transport to a standstill. EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road, and Central Avenue reported massive traffic snarls, while many smaller lanes were completely cut off.
Public transport was severely disrupted, with buses breaking down mid-route, taxis and app cabs charging high fares, and train and Metro services affected due to waterlogged tracks. Many houses and residential complexes were inundated.
Tragic Loss of Lives
Kolkata Mayor and State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim confirmed the deaths of four people due to electrocution:
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Firoz Ali Khan (50) – Beniapukur
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Pranatosh Kundu (62) – Netaji Nagar
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Mumtaz Bibi (70) – Ekbalpur
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One unidentified person – Gariahat
Record Rainfall in Hours
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) reported that Garia Kamdahari recorded a staggering 332 mm of rain in just a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm), Ballygunge (264 mm), and Thantania (195 mm).
Residents compared the overnight downpour to a “cloudburst,” saying such flooding was last witnessed on September 23, 2007.
Schools Closed, More Rain Expected
Several Kolkata schools declared a holiday due to flooded streets. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that heavy rain is likely to continue in Kolkata and parts of South Bengal, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura, until Wednesday. Another low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around September 25, raising fears of more downpours.
