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Five Dead As Kolkata Records Over 300 mm Rainfall; Widespread Flooding Halts Transport And Hampers Durga Puja Preparations

Kolkata and its suburbs were hit by severe flooding after relentless rainfall, leaving streets submerged, homes waterlogged, and five people dead due to electrocution. With Durga Puja around the corner, city authorities struggle to manage infrastructure, waterlogging, and festival preparations as more rain is forecast.

by Mahi Adlakha
Five Dead As Kolkata Records Over 300 mm Rainfall; Widespread Flooding Halts Transport And Hampers Durga Puja Preparations

Kolkata and its suburbs woke up to flood dread on Tuesday after a night of relentless rainfall that left the city gasping for breath. Arteries that normally pulse with traffic were transformed into churning brown rivers, and homes in low-lying colonies filled with water. Five people tragically lost their lives, as they were electrocuted when they stepped into floodwater live with current. 

Kolkata Submerged After Relentless Floods In September 2025

The list of affected neighbourhoods reads like a map of central and southern Kolkata: Park Street, Behala, Gariahat, Salt Lake and College Street; all are submerged and have been struggling. According to NDTV, the victims were confirmed from Beniapukur, Netaji Nagar, Ekbalpur, Gariahat, and Kalikapur, each case a reminder of how perilous this city becomes when the skies open without mercy.

By Tuesday morning, the rainfall totals themselves were almost unbelievable. In Garia Kamdahari, gauges tipped past 332 mm. Jodhpur Park clocked 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm, and Ballygunge 264 mm. Even in the north, Ultadanga crossed 200 mm and Thanthania hovered just shy of it, leaving no part of the city untouched. The India Meteorological Department traced the deluge to a low-pressure system swirling in the Bay of Bengal and warned Kolkata that more rain is on the way, likely through September 26 and 27.

Also Read: 8 Destinations Near Kolkata For A Quick Festive Escape This Durga Puja

IMD Warns: Low-Pressure System To Bring More Rain Through September 27

The downpour cut deep into the city’s infrastructure. Metro trains between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stood suspended, with a skeleton service limping only between Dakshineswar and Maidan. Suburban rail lines around Howrah and Sealdah fared no better. With their yards drowned, tracks hidden under floodwater, and trains abruptly cancelled or short-terminated, these landmark regions have been suffering. Road travel turned nightmarish. Stalled cars sat stranded like islands, and parents kept children home as schools across the city declared rain holidays.

With Durga Puja set to begin on September 27, the city’s biggest cultural heartbeat suddenly feels vulnerable. Pandal organisers rushed to salvage structures already damaged or waterlogged. 

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been pumping furiously, deploying machines across choke points and reopening lock gates along the Hooghly, as stated by NDTV. Yet the water retreats grudgingly, street by street. Officials warn that much of the city will remain ankle-deep until the skies relent. 

Indigo Issues Advisory Amidst Kolkata Floods 

Air travel in and around Kolkata has also been impacted. IndiGo issued a travel advisory urging passengers to plan ahead, as due to the heavy downpour, several city roads are blocked or experiencing slow movement. Travellers have been advised to allow extra time, consider alternate routes, and check their flight status on the airline’s website or app before heading to the airport.

Also Read: 8 Destinations Near Kolkata For A Quick Festive Escape This Durga Puja

For now, the message from authorities is to stay indoors if you can, do not wade through flooded alleys, and watch for dangling wires and sparks in the water. But in a city where life has never paused for long, the question looms: can Kolkata recover and celebrate in time for Pujo, or will this year’s festivities unfold under the shadow of rainclouds?

Cover Image Courtesy: murtazakhambaty/X

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First Published: September 23, 2025 1:49 PM