Durga Puja Preparations Hit Hard
The downpour struck at a critical time when pandal lighting was still underway and schools were finishing half-yearly exams before the festive break. Residents faced power outages, waterlogging, and transport shutdowns. Many feared that the festive spirit of Durga Puja could be dampened by the relentless rain if conditions persist.
Schools Cancel Exams
Several schools across the city were forced to cancel their half-yearly examinations at the last minute. Parents reported receiving sudden late-night or early-morning notices. Abhijit Roy, a Behala resident, said, “My daughter had her exam today, but the school notified us at 5am that it was cancelled. The new date is yet to be announced.”
Safety Concerns Near Puja Pandals
Waterlogging also heightened the risk of electrocution near Durga Puja pandals where electrical work remains incomplete. In Tollygunge, residents urged Puja committees to properly insulate lighting wires. At least three people have already died of electrocution in the city, including one near Ballygunge Circular Road, where locals have been without power since 2am.
Metro Services Suspended
Kolkata Metro suspended operations between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan after tracks were submerged between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations. Limited services continued between Dakshineswar and Maidan while workers pumped water out of the flooded section. In Alipore and central Kolkata, many stretches were shut for safety, leaving half the city’s roads underwater.
Transport Crisis and Rising Cab Fares
The suspension of Metro and limited bus services forced commuters to depend on app-based cabs. However, fares skyrocketed, with a 15 km ride costing nearly ₹1,000, compared to the usual ₹300-400. Drivers frequently cancelled bookings to avoid flooded routes. “Cabs kept cancelling and fares kept rising. Finally, I had to work from home,” said Mainak Dutta, a sales executive based in Dalhousie.
Howrah Worst Hit
Howrah reported severe flooding, with water levels rising above car windshields near the high court. One cab driver said he even lost his number plate in the deluge. Several arterial roads across north and south Kolkata remained submerged well into the morning, leading to massive traffic snarls.
IMD Forecast and Outlook
The IMD said the heavy showers were triggered by a low-pressure system over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal Odisha and Bengal. With Durga Puja just around the corner, the forecast of continued rain has raised concerns of further disruption. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, especially near waterlogged areas and ongoing Puja preparations.
