Kolkata Drenched: Fierce Monsoon Rains Bring City to a Standstill, More Expected

Kolkata, the City of Joy, has found itself submerged under a relentless downpour, as fierce monsoon rains lash the metropolis and surrounding districts. Over the past 24 to 48 hours, the vibrant city has been grappling with widespread waterlogging, turning familiar streets into impromptu rivers and severely disrupting daily life for millions of residents.

Areas particularly hit hard include Behala, New Alipore, Thakurpukur, and large swathes of Central Kolkata, where water levels have risen to knee-deep in many localities.

This unprecedented deluge has brought the city's notoriously busy traffic to a grinding halt, with commuters facing frustrating delays and several thoroughfares becoming impassable. Public transportation has also been heavily impacted, adding to the woes of daily commuters trying to navigate the waterlogged maze.

Meteorological experts attribute this intense spell of rain to a potent combination of a vigorous monsoon trough and a developing low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

These atmospheric conditions are channeling vast amounts of moisture inland, resulting in the heavy to very heavy rainfall currently being experienced across South Bengal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a concerning forecast, indicating that there will be little respite in the immediate future.

Heavy rainfall is projected to continue for the next few days, specifically until the end of the week, across Kolkata and other South Bengal districts. This persistent wet weather poses a significant challenge for civic authorities, who are working tirelessly to pump out water from submerged areas and manage the escalating situation.

Residents are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution.

Avoiding waterlogged streets, staying updated with official weather advisories, and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety are paramount. The city, known for its resilience, is bracing itself for further inclement weather, hoping for a swift end to the relentless showers and a return to normalcy.