PTI
KOLKATA, Sep 23: Torrential overnight rain left Kolkata crippled on Tuesday, claiming at least seven lives due to electrocution and bringing the city to a standstill. Vast stretches were submerged, public transport was thrown out of gear, and traffic ground to a halt, just days before the city readies for its biggest festival, Durga Puja.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the downpour as “unprecedented,” blaming poor dredging of the Farakka barrage and lapses by private power utility CESC. Appealing to residents to remain indoors, she said, “I have never seen rain like this. It is so unfortunate that 7–8 people have died due to electrocution from open or unattended wires. Their families must all be given jobs by the CESC. We will also do whatever is possible to help.”
Squarely faulting the utility, Banerjee said, “Electricity is supplied by CESC, not us. It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer. They will do business here but not modernize? They must send people to the field and fix this.” She added that schools had been asked to declare holidays, and office-goers advised to stay home through Wednesday.
Among the victims were Firoz Ali Khan (50) of Beniapukur, Pranatosh Kundu (62) of Netaji Nagar, and Mumtaz Bibi (70) of Ekbalpur, besides an unidentified person in Gariahat.
Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim confirmed the fatalities, saying, “Most parts of the city are waterlogged, and KMC teams are working round the clock to drain water. But the canals and rivers are full, and every time we pump out water, more flows in. We fear the high tide at 1.30 pm may worsen the situation. Improvement can be expected only by late evening.”
Transport Paralysis
Traffic movement collapsed across the city, with key intersections such as Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, and College Street under water. Long snarls stretched along EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road, and Central Avenue, while many smaller lanes in south and central Kolkata were cut off. Vehicles broke down mid-route, and app cabs either stayed off the roads or charged exorbitant fares.
Metro services were suspended on the Blue Line between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations due to waterlogging. “Truncated services are being run between Dakshineswar and Maidan stations,” a Metro spokesperson said. Eastern Railway suspended operations in the Sealdah south section, while skeletal services ran in the north and main sections. Circular Railway services were also halted due to waterlogging at Chitpur yard.
Several schools declared holidays, while Calcutta University and Jadavpur University suspended academic activities. Office-goers faced severe hardship as buses remained stranded and trains disrupted.
Record Rainfall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal triggered the heavy downpour. The southern and eastern parts of Kolkata recorded the highest intensity, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm in a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm), and Ballygunge (264 mm). North Kolkata’s Thantania recorded 195 mm.
The IMD has warned of more heavy rain in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura districts till Wednesday. Another fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the east-central Bay of Bengal around September 25.
