Kolkata has witnessed a rare and intense downpour overnight, leaving vast parts of the city submerged, disrupting everyday life. The heavy rainfall, described as one of the most severe in recent years, has caused widespread waterlogging, disrupted traffic, and affected railway and Metro services. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution and avoid flood-prone areas.
Tragically, the deluge has claimed four lives in Kalikapur, Gariahat, Beniapukur, and Netaji Nagar, with victims electrocuted by submerged electric poles and live wires.
The intensity of the rainfall was particularly high in the city’s southern and eastern neighborhoods, with Garia Kamdahari recording a staggering 332 mm, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm, and Ballygunge 264 mm in just a few hours. Meteorologists have attributed the heavy showers to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and have warned of more rain in the coming days.
Durga Puja pandal affected
A Facebook user posted a video of Hatibagan Sarbojonin Durgatsav at 4:54 am during the heavy rain. In a video, a man can be seen walking across a Puja pandal, claiming it to be of Hatibagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav Committee. In the video, the roads can be seen waterlogged, while the post's captions manifest a happy and successful Durga Puja 2025.
The theme this year of Hatibagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav is “Otho Ghat Kotha”, depicting the ghats of the Ganga River, a collaborated artwork of French artist Thomas Henriot and Bengali artist Tapas Dutta.
Actress and Dancer Sreenanda Shankar posted a video from the balcony of her house, of her neighborhood where the bamboos of the pandals are seen floating in water, their dance studio submerged in water.
