Kolkata hit by heavy rains, transport paralyzed ahead of Durga Puja

A torrential overnight downpour on September 22-23 left large parts of Kolkata submerged, paralysing transport, halting preparations for the approaching Durga Puja and leaving authorities to grapple with multiple fatalities, officials said. The India Meteorological Department said a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal triggered intense rainfall that battered the city and neighbouring districts in south Bengal.

The deluge flooded roads and residential complexes, disrupted suburban train and Metro services and forced widespread cancellations and delays at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Metro Railway Kolkata suspended services between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan on safety grounds, a spokesperson said, while Eastern Railway reported suspension or curtailment of services on several Sealdah and Howrah suburban sections after tracks and yards were waterlogged. The airport operations control centre said 42 incoming and 49 outgoing flights were cancelled and dozens more delayed by evening.

Official tallies of deaths varied in the immediate aftermath. Initial reports gave figures ranging from three to more than a dozen; later statements from government and civic...