Houses flooded and schools announced last minute closures on Tuesday morning amid a torrential downpour in Kolkata. The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for several areas with fresh rainfall and thunderstorms predicted during the day. Several areas have reported power outages while others noted that the situation was worsening as the water level continued to rise inside their homes. The inclement weather comes amid Durga Puja celebrations in the city — paralysing normal life in many areas.
The city received nearly 250 mm of rain over the past 24 hours — most of it concentrated in the early hours of Tuesday. The IMD had forecast “Heavy to very heavy rainfall (between seven and 20 cm) in parts of South 24 Parganas district in its Monday afternoon bulletin. An update from the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata added that the city had received 247.4 mm of rainfall since 08:30 am on Monday.
The IMD also predicted that a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal was likely case bring heavy rain in several south Bengal districts on Tuesday. 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 downpour over some districts of south Bengal. The IMD said heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Bankura districts of South Bengal till Wednesday. Another another fresh low-pressure area is also likely to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25.
Flights affected, airlines issue advisories
Several airlines have already issued travel advisories — warning about delays and urging passengers to consider slower traffic on the airport route. Official updates indicate that no flights have been cancelled from the city so far on Tuesday morning. Social media posts also highlighted the confusion at Kolkata airport — with large crowds gathering as flights were delayed. One X post said the passengers and an IndiGo airplane were left waiting as the pilot could not reach due to the heavy rainfall.
“With heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected over Kolkata, we’re seeing a chance of delays and slower traffic to and from the airport. While we can’t control the skies, we’re doing everything possible to keep your journey steady on the ground. Please check your flight status and consider giving yourself a little cushion of time to reach the airport. We’ll keep you posted and we’re always around if you need help,” IndiGo urged.
“Due to bad weather in Kolkata, all departures and arrivals, and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status,” read another X update from SpiceJet.
‘Kolkata is drowning’
Visuals from various parts of the capital city showed submerged roads and parked vehicles as the day began. Videos shared through WhatsApp and various social media platforms also showed water entering houses — leaving many homes submerged in ankle deep water.
The intensity of rain was higher in the southern and eastern parts of the city — with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation confirming that Garia Kamdahari recorded 332 mm of rain in just a few hours while the Jodhpur Park area reported 285 mm of rain. Kalighat recorded 280 mm of rain, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, while Thantania in north Kolkata received 195 mm of rain.
‘Worse than Amphan’
“I think Kolkata just received record breaking rainfall. There is practically no news yet, but it might be the case. Rain started around midnight, and it’s still raining. Rained very heavily from 2:00 am to 4:00 am. I live in a ground-floor apartment, and have shin-deep flooding inside my home. This is the heaviest rainfall I’ve seen and beyond even 2020 Amphan levels of flooding. All my ground-floor neighbours are also saying the same. What an upsetting start to the festive season,” lamented one Reddit user.
“We have a one storey house. This is the first time in my life that I’m seeing so much water accumulate. Even during Amphan cyclone water had not entered the house. It will be disastrous if the rain doesn’t stop,” shared another.
“I think the waterlogging is everywhere in Kolkata right now,” summed up a third.