By: The Trek News Desk
Kolkata was submerged under heavy rainfall on Tuesday, as the city experienced a flood-like situation after relentless downpours since Monday night. The rains led to the death of five people, while transport services, including trains and Metro, were severely affected, bringing daily life to a halt. The city’s streets, railway tracks, and Metro lines were flooded, leading to widespread disruption.
Identities of the Deceased Revealed
Heavy rainfall overnight caused waterlogging in several areas of the city. In the first incident, a 60-year-old man, identified as Jitendra Singh, was electrocuted early on Tuesday morning. He was rushed to SSKM Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. In another tragic event, a cyclist died after coming into contact with a live electric wire on a flooded road.
Flooded Areas in the City
Key localities such as Lake Market, Rashbehari, Thanthania, Patuli, Santoshpur Avenue, Park Circus, Nagerbazar, and Bosepukur Talbagan experienced knee- to waist-deep water levels. In Thanthania, the water level reached waist-height, while the pandals in Bosepukur Talbagan were inundated, prompting organizers to rush to protect the structures from further damage.
Transport System at a Standstill
The rain severely affected Kolkata’s transportation system. Many cars broke down on waterlogged streets, and several schools advised parents not to send their children to school, with some institutions announcing closures. Numerous offices declared a work-from-home day as public transport was completely stopped. Even app-based taxi and bike services were unavailable due to the flooding.
Impact on Durga Puja Preparations
The heavy downpour also severely impacted Durga Puja preparations. Several major puja pandals in South and Central Kolkata were flooded, prompting organizers to scramble in an attempt to save their structures from the rising water levels.
Disruption in Railway and Metro Services
The impact on railway services was profound. The Howrah and Sealdah yards, along with car sheds, were submerged, forcing the cancellation of several trains. Suburban services were disrupted, with the Sealdah South and Circular Railway lines completely suspended. Key trains, such as the Hazarduari Express and Sealdah-Jangipur Express, were canceled due to the flooding.
Metro services were also heavily affected. Operations between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan were suspended due to flooding on the tracks near Rabindra Sarobar. Limited services continued between Dakshineswar and Maidan, but authorities struggled to pump out the water, as the flow from surrounding areas slowed the drainage process.
Rainfall Statistics and Intensity
By 5:30 am on Tuesday, the rainfall figures underscored the extent of the downpour. Garia’s Kamdahari area received 332 mm of rain, Jodhpur Park recorded 285 mm, Kalighat saw 280 mm, and Topsia (Alipore) received 275 mm. Even parts of Central and Northern Kolkata, like Ultadanga (207 mm) and Thanthania (195 mm), faced heavy rainfall, contributing to the widespread waterlogging.
Court and Legal Proceedings Affected
The Kolkata Bar Association issued an appeal stating that the continuous rainfall and waterlogging across the city had made it difficult for many lawyers to reach the court. The association requested the Calcutta High Court to only take up cases where all parties were present, and to avoid passing any adverse orders or delisting matters due to the weather conditions.
Source: News Agencies
