7 Dead as Heavy Rain Lashes Kolkata: Metros & Trains Affected, Flights Delayed - IMD Predicts More Showers Till Wednesday

Kolkata: At least seven people died as heavy rain lashed Kolkata and its suburbs overnight, flooding homes, streets, and railway tracks and leaving large parts of the city paralysed and disrupting all modes of transport on Tuesday. 

According to reports, one of the deceased was identified as 60-year-old Jitendra Singh, who was electrocuted at Hossain Shah Road around 5.15 AM. He was rushed to SSKM Hospital but declared dead on arrival. Deaths were also reported in Beniapukur, Kalikapur, Netaji Nagar, Gariahat, and Ekbalpur, while the identity of the victims are yet to be confirmed.

The South and East Kolkata witnessed the most severe rainfall. According to Kolkata Municipal Corporation data, Garia Kamdahari received 332 mm of rain, followed by Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm) and Ballygunge (264 mm).

Metro, Rail Services Affected; Flights Delayed

Metro services between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan were temporarily suspended after tracks were submerged, with operations continuing on the rest of the Blue Line. Eastern Railway also restricted train services in Sealdah and Howrah sections as a precautionary measure.

Howrah station yard, Sealdah South station yard, Chitpur North Cabin, and different car sheds were also waterlogged due to the heavy rains, according to a press release by the Eastern Railway (ER).

Here's the release by the Eastern Railway - "Following torrential rains for a long duration last night, waterlogging has been observed over Howrah station yard, Sealdah South station yard, Chitpur North Cabin, different car sheds at different places of Sealdah yard. Water has logged on the Railway lines of the Howrah & Sealdah Divisions. Water pumps have been deployed at several places to pump out the logged water, but as the water from the adjacent civil area is also logged with water, the water is flowing back to the Railway yard, which is causing more difficulties".

"Due to this, some suburban trains have been short-terminated and short-originated this morning and also a service plan has been made to suit the emergency situation", it stated further.

According to the official release, Hazarduari Express (13113) and Sealdah Jangipur Express (13177) trains were also cancelled due to waterlogging issues. Train Movement was suspended in the Sealdah South section due to waterlogging, said the release. The release added that the train movement was suspended on the Circular Railway line due to waterlogging on the track and in the Chitpur yard. In Sealdah North & Main, in the suburban section, skeleton services started from Platform No. 7, the release. 

Apart from metro and train services, flight operation too faced disruptions due to the weather conditions. Both Air India and IndiGo too issued advisories, warning of possible flight delays. Passengers were asked to check status updates before leaving home, with airlines promising extra support for travellers.

As per the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, high-capacity pumps were deployed to clear water from flooded stretches. Emergency instructions were issued to ensure faster drainage, while relief teams remained on standby in the worst-affected areas.

IMD’s Forecast and Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has linked the heavy downpour to a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. 

According to its weather forecast, heavy showers in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Bankura will continue till Wednesday. IMD has also warned of another fresh system forming around September 25.

(With ANI inputs)