This image captures a scene from Kolkata, India, on September 23, 2025, showing a Durga Puja pandal (a temporary temple structure) built to resemble the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, amidst significant waterlogging due to heavy rainfall.
Eight people have died due to waterlogging-related electrocution and drowning in Kolkata and suburban areas. Overnight rain wreaked havoc in the southern part of the state. The local weather office of the IMD informed Akashvani that record rainfall has been registered in Kolkata since 1978.
In many parts of Kolkata and adjoining districts are still under water with the forecast of more rainfall in the coming hours. Many express and mail trains have been cancelled today. Local train service also been affected, with a few buses are running on the roads. Truncated metro service is available in Kolkata.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared a holiday in the government and government-aided and government-sponsored schools in West Bengal for nest two days except those in hilly areas. She also requested CBSE and ICSE school authorities to declare a holiday if the situation does not improve.
On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party BJP criticised the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and other Municipalities governed Trinamool Congress for the catastrophic situation in Kolkata and suburban areas.
Heavy rainfall lasting hours from Monday night to early Tuesday morning inundated large parts of Kolkata, leaving at least seven people dead. The intense downpour brought life in the city and surrounding areas to a near standstill, affecting traffic, public transport, and daily activities.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted similar showers for Kolkata and neighbouring regions around September 25, prompting many community Durga Puja organisers to stay alert.
A Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) official said, “We have received emergency instructions to run drainage pumps to clear the roads.”
Kolkata rain disrupt services
Train and Metro services were severely disrupted due to waterlogging of tracks. In particular, the mid-section of the Blue Line (Dakshineswar–Shahid Khudiram) faced heavy flooding between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations, leading to an immediate suspension of services on this stretch.
A Metro Railway Kolkata spokesperson confirmed that services between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations have been suspended since morning to ensure passenger safety. Truncated services were being operated between Dakshineswar and Maidan, with normal operations expected to resume shortly.
Waterlogging of tracks also affected train movement in the Sealdah south section, while skeleton services were operated in the Sealdah north and main sections. Train services to and from Howrah and Kolkata terminals were partially disrupted due to flooding on the tracks.
Movement on the Circular Railway line was suspended due to waterlogging at Chitpur yard. Many schools declared holidays in response to the heavy rain and submerged streets.
The IMD warned that a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal is likely to bring heavy rainfall to several districts of South Bengal.
Southern and eastern parts of Kolkata recorded particularly high rainfall, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm, Jodhpur Park 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, and Thantania in north Kolkata 195 mm.
The weather office added that heavy rainfall is expected in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura districts until Wednesday. Another low-pressure system is anticipated to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25, potentially bringing further showers to the region.