Kolkata reeled under torrential overnight rain on Tuesday, with at least three people dying of electrocution in waterlogged areas. The downpour, which began past midnight, inundated major roads and residential complexes, crippling traffic and public transport.
Metro services were suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations due to waterlogging, while truncated services ran on other stretches. Eastern Railway suspended train movement in Sealdah’s south section and partially in north and main sections, with services from Howrah and Kolkata terminals also hit. Circular Railway was shut after tracks were flooded at Chitpur yard.
Vehicles were stranded for hours in knee-to-waist-deep water at Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala and College Street, while long jams were reported on EM Bypass and AJC Bose Road. Many buses broke down and taxis stayed off the road or overcharged. Several schools declared holidays.
According to the KMC, Garia Kamdahari received the highest rainfall at 332 mm, followed by Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm), Ballygunge (264 mm) and Thantania (195 mm).
The IMD warned of more heavy rain in south Bengal districts including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Bankura, with another low-pressure system likely to form over the Bay of Bengal by September 25.
