Heavy rains, thunderstorms lash Kolkata, disrupting normal life ahead of Durga Puja festival

According to reports, one person died due to electrocution in Netaji Nagar region in south Kolkata.

Amid heavy downpour, several houses in Kolkata were flooded, with the met department predicting more rains to lash the city in the upcoming hours.

Several areas in the city reported power outages.

The India Meteorological Department said Kolkata received nearly 250 mm of rain over the past 24 hours.

In its last update, the IMD said on Monday: "Light to moderate rain/thunderstorm at most/many places with isolated heavy rainfall likely over Odisha, Chhattisgarh during 22nd-27th; Bihar on 25th & 26th; Jharkhand during 23rd–25th; Gangetic West Bengal on 22nd & 23rd; West Madhya Pradesh on 22nd, Vidarbha during 24th-27th September with very heavy rainfall over Odisha on 22nd, 23rd, 25th & 26th; Gangetic West Bengal on 22nd and Chhattisgarh on 24th & 25th September."

The IMD predicted that another low-pressure area is likely to form over east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25.

Meanwhile, major airlines like Indigo issued an advisory for passengers, urging them to consider the slow-moving traffic in Kolkata due to heavy rains and waterlogging on the route to the airport, to avoid missing their flights.

No cancellation of flight has been reported so far.

IndiGo wrote on X: "Some routes across #Kolkata have been impacted by heavy rain, leading to temporary blocks or diversions. We recommend planning your journey accordingly, and leave with a bit of extra time in hand."

Social Media users react

One of the social media users felt Kolkata experienced more rainfall than that recorded during 2020 when Cyclone Amphan hit West Bengal.

"This is the heaviest rainfall I've seen and beyond even 2020 Amphan levels of flooding. All my ground-floor neighbours are also saying the same. What an upsetting start to the festive season," one Reddit user said.

Another said, " I think the waterlogging is everywhere in Kolkata right now."