Photos: Kolkata wades through waterlogging, but Durga Puja spirit shines brighter
The downpour claimed at least 10 lives and disrupted rail, road, and air connectivity amid the grand Durga Puja festival. The rains forced many puja committees to make last-minute changes.
A relentless spell of rain lashed Kolkata between midnight on Monday and early Tuesday morning, dumping 252 mm, nearly 20% of its annual average of 1,345.5 mm in just seven hours, and leaving large parts waterlogged. (Photo: X)
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The rain began around midnight on Monday and continued until early Tuesday morning. The worst-affected areas were Garia (332 mm), Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Tospia (275 mm), Ballygunge (264 mm), Chetla (262 mm), Mominpur (234 mm), Beleghata (217 mm), Dhapa (212 mm), Ultadanga (207 mm), Thanthania (195 mm), Belgachhia (178 mm), and Maniktala (169 mm). (Photo: X)
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Although the rain was unusually intense, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) clarified that it did not qualify as a cloudburst. For an event to be called a cloudburst, rainfall must exceed 100 mm in a single hour. (Photo: X)
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Experts explained that the downpour was caused by a low-pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal on Monday. The system moved towards Gangetic West Bengal, drawing in large amounts of moisture. (Photo: X)
Another low-pressure area is expected to form over the northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal on September 25. While forecasts suggest it will move towards Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, its effect could still bring light rain in parts of south Bengal. (Photo: X)
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According to a report by The Telegraph, the rains forced many puja committees to make last-minute changes. Elevated platforms, tarpaulin sheets, waterproof decorations, and emergency drainage systems are being put in place to avoid waterlogging during the festival days. (Photo: X)
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The heavy rainfall disrupted Kolkata’s lifelines, with railway yards in Howrah and Sealdah flooded, forcing the Eastern Railway to suspend several suburban services, including Sealdah South and Circular lines. (Photo: X)
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The state govt announced Durga Puja holidays in Madhyamik board schools from Tuesday while ICSE and CBSE schools were requested to stay shut for at least two days to tide over the situation. The CM also asked universities to allow study/work from home. (Photo: X)
