On the eve of Durga Puja, Kolkata finds itself struggling under sheets of rain that have turned vast stretches of the city into waterlogged islands. While heavy rain during the festival is not new, residents and organisers admit they have rarely seen the city so battered in the run-up to the celebrations in recent decades.
Forecast raises fresh worries
The weather office had issued warnings of rain, but no one had imagined the downpour would be this relentless. After Monday’s cloudburst left roads and neighborhoods submerged, the forecast has only added to concerns. Authorities have already cautioned that fresh spells of rain could arrive on Wednesday and may even continue till Navami due to low-pressure.
Many pandals have survived the downpour structurally, but adjacent fields and connecting roads are under water. At Arjunpur’s “Amra Sobai” puja in Baguiati, organiser Mousumi Naskar said, “Our pandal hasn’t suffered much damage. The lights are intact, but the streets outside are flooded.”
Organisers struggle with stalled work
At Deshapriya Park, organiser Sudipta Kumar confessed, “I have seen rain during puja, but never like this. The ground and roads are flooded. Some work remained unfinished, but Tuesday’s flooding halted everything. Even the power connection is cut.”
North Kolkata’s Chorbagan puja reported similar troubles. Jayanta Bandyopadhyay explained that all electrical DP boxes were underwater, making work impossible. “Around 40 artisans have already left after completing their part. The damage is done,” he said.
Elsewhere, Manoj Sau of Mudiali Park said the front gate collapsed and the inauguration was pushed back. Rajdanga’s Sushanta Ghosh noted that although their pandal was safe, waterlogged roads might keep visitors away.
Even major pujas like Tala Prattoy, celebrating its centenary with the theme “Beej Angan”, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, admitted that some parts of the pandal had been soaked from outside. Organisers say they remain hopeful, but the city’s festive spirit is clearly under water.
