- Kolkata recorded its heaviest rainfall in 39 years, with 251.4mm in under 24 hours.
- At least 10 people died, including nine from electrocution in flooded areas.
- Widespread flooding disrupted traffic, rail services, and residential neighborhoods.
- The disaster comes just days before Durga Puja celebrations, with many pandals already flooded.
- Authorities cut power in some areas to prevent further accidents; more rain is expected.
Kolkata has been plunged into chaos after being battered by its most severe rainfall in nearly four decades, leaving at least 10 people dead and large parts of the city submerged.
Officials confirmed that nine of the victims were electrocuted after coming into contact with floodwaters, while another fatality was reported elsewhere in the city. The downpour, measuring 251.4mm in less than 24 hours, has been described as the city’s worst since 1986 and one of the highest single-day totals recorded in more than a century.
The deluge struck just as Kolkata was preparing for the grand Durga Puja festival, a nine-day celebration that draws thousands to elaborately constructed pandals. Many of these temporary temples have already been damaged by floodwaters, casting a shadow over the upcoming festivities.
Transport across the metropolis has ground to a halt. Major roads are still submerged, train services have been disrupted, and stranded commuters were seen wading through knee-deep water or climbing onto trucks to get through inundated streets.
Authorities say the flooding was triggered by a low-pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal. With more rain forecast in the coming days, emergency teams remain on high alert. Power has been deliberately cut in several neighborhoods to avoid more electrocution deaths.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister described the rainfall as unprecedented and expressed sorrow over the loss of life, pledging compensation to affected families. Meanwhile, recovery efforts are underway to clear waterlogged areas, though residents continue to endure damage to homes, businesses, and daily routines.
