Kolkata : Heavy showers overnight threw life out of gear in Kolkata and its surrounding areas on Tuesday, with several places inundated under knee-deep water and traffic paralysed. Seven people were electrocuted, highlighting the severe impact of the rainfall just days ahead of Durga Puja celebrations beginning September 27.
As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), Alipore recorded 239 mm of rainfall till 5:30 am, which rose to 247.4 mm by 6:30 am. The intensity of rainfall was highest in the southern and eastern parts of Kolkata. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) reported that Garia Kamdahari received 332 mm of rainfall in just a few hours, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280.2 mm, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm and Chetla 262 mm. The deluge also impacted railway operations. Following the torrential rainfall, waterlogging was observed in the Howrah station yard, Sealdah South station yard, Chitpur North Cabin, several car sheds and multiple parts of the Sealdah yard.
Waterlogging on railway lines of Howrah and Sealdah divisions forced authorities to short-terminate and short-originate several suburban train services. Water pumps were deployed at multiple points, but as water from adjacent civil areas kept flowing back into the yards, the pumping operations were hampered. Water is being pumped out, and officers and staff of Metro Railway reached the site to address the issue. Normal services are expected to be resumed as soon as possible.
The IMD said a low-pressure area has formed over the northeast Bay of Bengal and is likely to move northwestwards, bringing widespread light to moderate rain with isolated heavy to very heavy downpours in several South Bengal districts, including Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Bankura, till Wednesday. Another fresh low-pressure system is expected to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25. Weather officials said Kolkata will continue to see a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers.
Read Also : Torrential Downpour Drenches Kolkata, Sparking Flood Fears Ahead of Durga Puja Festivities
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