Ahead of Durga Puja, the city of Kolkata was battered by its heaviest overnight rainfall in nearly four decades late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning (September 23–24), plunging the City of Joy into chaos. The torrential downpour, which began around 2:30 AM, left large parts of southern and eastern Kolkata inundated under knee-deep water.
At least 11 people have lost their lives as a result of flooding-related incidents. Major transport systems were brought to a standstill, and with Durga Puja just days away, the storm has cast a grim shadow over the city's biggest annual celebration.
By Tuesday afternoon, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that 10 people had died, with nine succumbing to electrocution due to exposed or unattended wires. Eight fatalities occurred in Kolkata, one in Shasan (North 24 Parganas), and another in Amtala (South 24 Parganas). An additional 11th person died from electrocution in Narendrapur on the southern side later that night.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) observed 98mm of rainfall per hour, just shy of the cloudburst threshold, over a six-hour period, accumulating to 251.4mm in less than 24 hours. This is the highest single-day rainfall since 1986 and ranks as the sixth-largest in 137 years.
Southern areas like Garia experienced rainfall up to 332mm, while northern regions such as Thanthania recorded 195mm. Major roads turned into torrents, trapping vehicles and forcing residents to wade through rushing water that flooded homes and apartments.
Train services were halted, with waterlogging affecting Metro lines from Dakshineswar to Shahid Khudiram, as well as Sealdah South, North, and main sections. Partial disruptions occurred at Howrah and Kolkata railway stations, and flights faced delays.
Numerous videos and photos showing waterlogging and inundated Durga Puja pandals were extensively shared on social media. Puja Preparations Drowned in Despair with Durga Puja starting this Sunday, the deluge has ruined more than 3,000 pandals in the city. Last-minute decorations and artwork are in shambles, converting festive excitement into despair.
"As last-minute preparations were in progress, visitors started arriving at the pandals. Once the water subsided in some areas, we found that it had ruined meticulously crafted artwork," stated Saswata Basu, the general secretary of the Forum for Durgotsab, an organization representing approximately 500 pujas in Kolkata and Howrah.
The IMD predicts sustained cyclonic circulation up to 7.6km above sea level for 24 hours, with another low-pressure system likely to form over the northwest Bay of Bengal around September 25. Further rain is expected on Thursday, even as drizzles persisted Tuesday.