Heavy Rains Paralyze Kolkata: City Battles Waterlogging, Traffic Chaos, and Holiday Disruptions
Kolkata and the surrounding areas are hit by extremely heavy showers, causing traffic blockage and numerous locations to be submerged under knee-deep water.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) September 23: Kolkata and the neighboring areas are facing heavy rainfall. It has resulted in traffic jams in some parts and some sites submerged in knee-deep water. The rain started overnight and is expected to continue, according to the weather service. Four persons died from electrocution after severe waterlogging. The Blue Line's metro services were also disrupted, and two airlines issued travel advisories due rainy weather.
Water entering homes and residential complexes has caused disruptions to people's daily lives in Kolkata. This happens at the time of Durga Puja's celebrations. Both the city's northern and southern regions are experiencing widespread waterlogging.
Severe waterlogging claims 4 lives
According to sources, four individuals died from electrocution amid the city's severe waterlogging. The deceased are identified as Mumtaz Bibi (70) of Ekbalpur, Pranatosh Kundu (62) of Netaji Nagar, and Firoz Ali Khan (50) of Beniapukur and an unnamed individual in Gariahat.
Calcutta University has rescheduled all of today's exams because of the city's intense rains. Academic institutions in Kolkata will remain closed from September 24 to 25 due to the intense rainfall.
Durga Puja celebrations hit as CM cancels pandal inaugurations
Due to waterlogging at multiple pandals in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee canceled her planned Durga Puja inauguration on Tuesday. She stated that authorities are trying to get things back to normal in Kolkata and the surrounding areas.
The chief minister of West Bengal states that she is actively watching the situation with the chief secretary, mayor, and other officials and issuing the appropriate directives. She declares that both public and private offices will be run from home for two days. All government schools, colleges, and universities will also be closed.
Flight operations hit hard
Waterlogging on the runway at the Kolkata airport has seriously impacted airport operations. It has resulted in the cancellation of at least 30 flights and the disruption of 50 flights. The airport in Kolkata warned travelers about the city's severe rainfall in a travel notice on social media platform X.
It warned that a number of highways were already flooded. It was slowing down traffic. It has advised travelers to check the status of their flights on the websites or apps of the airlines before leaving for the airport.
The airport's management also stated that ground crews were trying to help travelers. They were also maintaining seamless operations. They are requesting their cooperation and patience.
Airlines Advisory
Airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued travel advisories due to the weather. They cite "temporary blocks and diversions" because of the heavy rainfall.
Services on the Blue Line (Dakshineswar–Shahid Khudiram) were immediately suspended as heavy rains caused severe waterlogging in the middle portion. It happened especially between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations.
