Kolkata and several districts of southern West Bengal are struggling with severe waterlogging and traffic chaos after continuous overnight rainfall lashed the city. With Durga Puja festivities just days away, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts, warning of more heavy showers and thunderstorms until September 26. The downpour has been triggered by a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal with associated cyclonic circulation, which is moving northwest, while another low-pressure system is likely to form over the east-central Bay of Bengal around September 25, potentially prolonging wet conditions across the state.
Within a few hours, many localities recorded extreme rainfall, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, and Thantania in North Kolkata 195 mm. The heavy showers submerged major roads, left vehicles stranded, and created knee-deep flooding in several neighborhoods.
Transport services have been heavily disrupted. Metro services on the Blue Line between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar were suspended due to waterlogging, while the Circular Railway line was affected by flooding at Chitpur yard. Traffic crawled on key stretches like Park Street, Esplanade, and Tollygunge as underpasses and low-lying areas went under water.
Air travel has also taken a hit, with IndiGo advising passengers to check flight status due to possible delays and diversions, while SpiceJet warned that departures, arrivals, and connecting flights at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) could be impacted. Other airlines too have urged flyers to allow extra time to reach the airport in view of traffic congestion.
The rain has raised concerns over Durga Puja preparations as pandals across Kolkata and nearby districts are in the final stages of construction. Authorities have deployed disaster management teams in flood-prone zones, issued advisories urging people to stay indoors during heavy showers, avoid electric poles and wires, and warned fishermen against venturing into the sea until September 27 due to rough conditions. Pumps are being operated to drain flooded areas, but officials admitted that continuous rainfall has slowed the process.
The combination of heavy rain, transport disruption, and festival preparations has left civic authorities on high alert as the city braces for more downpours in the coming days.
