Kolkata Reels from Record Rain Fury: 5 Dead, City Grinds to a Halt Ahead of Durga Puja

Kolkata, the vibrant heart of West Bengal, was plunged into an unprecedented crisis this week as it bore the brunt of its heaviest rainfall in 37 years. The torrential downpour claimed at least five lives and brought the bustling metropolis to a complete standstill, casting a somber shadow over the eagerly anticipated Durga Puja festivities just days away.

The city's vital arteries, including major roads and residential areas, were transformed into churning rivers, with waterlogging reaching alarming levels.

Public transportation ground to a halt, leaving commuters stranded and daily life severely disrupted. Power outages exacerbated the misery for thousands, highlighting the severe strain on the city's infrastructure.

According to the meteorological department, the Alipore observatory, a key weather station, recorded a staggering 142mm of rainfall within just 24 hours.

This extraordinary volume of precipitation was attributed to a vigorous low-pressure area that had settled over Gangetic West Bengal, drawing in immense moisture from the Bay of Bengal. The impact was comparable to, if not exceeding, the disruptions witnessed during Cyclone Yaas earlier in the year, underscoring the severity of this unseasonal deluge.

The timing of this natural disaster couldn't have been worse.

With Durga Puja, one of the biggest festivals in the region, looming large, the heavy rains have severely hampered preparations. Pandal constructions, idol transportation, and myriad logistical arrangements have been thrown into disarray, dampening the festive spirit that usually permeates the city at this time.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressing deep concern over the situation, confirmed the tragic loss of life and assured swift action.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were immediately deployed to assist with rescue operations and provide relief to affected citizens. Despite these efforts, the sheer scale of the waterlogging posed immense challenges.

The crisis also sparked political sparring, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led state government.

BJP leaders accused the state administration and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation of failing to maintain the city's drainage system, blaming their alleged neglect for exacerbating the flood-like conditions. The TMC, in turn, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the rainfall as the primary cause of the devastation.

As the city grapples with the aftermath, the meteorological department has issued further warnings, forecasting more moderate to heavy rainfall in several districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, over the coming days.

The outlook remains grim, with authorities urging residents to exercise caution and stay indoors. Kolkata now faces the monumental task of recovering from this record-breaking downpour while simultaneously preparing for its most cherished festival, a challenge that will test the resilience of both its people and its administration.