An overnight deluge, the most intense in nearly four decades, submerged Kolkata and its outskirts early Tuesday, killing 11 people and throwing the city’s Durga Puja preparations into disarray. The 335-year-old metropolis, home to over 15 million residents, was left gasping under 251.4 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours — the sixth-highest single-day total in 137 years.
Deaths and Devastation
The rainfall, clocked at 98 mm per hour — just shy of a cloudburst — led to widespread electrocutions, drowning, and structural collapses. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed that nine of the 11 deaths were due to electrocution, with victims spread across Kolkata and adjoining districts like North and South 24 Parganas.
“I have never seen rain like this,” Banerjee said, announcing ₹5 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and calling for urgent modernization of electrical infrastructure.
City Paralyzed
From 2:30am to 5:30am, southern and eastern Kolkata bore the brunt of the storm. Arterial roads turned into rivers, Metro and suburban train services were suspended, and vehicles were abandoned mid-journey. The Blue Line of Metro Railway was disrupted, and waterlogged tracks stalled trains at Howrah and Sealdah stations.
Government offices, hospitals, and schools were marooned. The CM declared holidays for state-run schools and urged private institutions to advance Puja breaks.
Puja Pandals Submerged
With Durga Puja set to begin this weekend, over 3,000 pandals were flooded. Artisans and organizers reported extensive damage to idols and decorations.
“This is a major setback. Water has ruined intricate artwork,” said Saswata Basu of the Forum for Durgotsab.
Drainage and Blame Game
The rainfall exposed Kolkata’s fragile drainage system. Banerjee blamed Metro Railway construction debris for clogging drains and criticized the Centre-owned Damodar Valley Corporation and Farakka Barrage authorities for failing to manage upstream water flow.
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Trinamool Congress government of negligence, citing ignored IMD warnings. Meanwhile, CESC defended its role, stating that most electrocutions occurred due to internal wiring faults.
Meteorological Outlook
The IMD attributed the deluge to a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above sea level. Another low-pressure system is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal around September 25, raising fears of further rainfall.