Kolkata, July 10 -- Heavy overnight rain lashed Kolkata and adjoining districts on Friday, inundating several roads, disrupting traffic and affecting normal life, while the IMD warned of continued rain and thunderstorms across south Bengal over the next few days. The weather office recorded 37.5 mm of rainfall overnight in Kolkata and said the southwest monsoon remained active over south Bengal.

A massive tree was uprooted on Strand Road following the downpour, temporarily bringing traffic to a halt. Waterlogging was reported from several parts of the city, including VIP Road, Chinar Park, Kaikhali, Dum Dum, Baranagar, Barrackpore and Sodepur, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. At Chinar Park, the bus stand was submerged and several parked buses remained stranded in accumulated water. A car broke down after being partially submerged on VIP Road and was later removed with the help of a crane. Several motorcycles and small vehicles also stalled while attempting to negotiate waterlogged stretches, leading to prolonged traffic congestion.

Rainfall was comparatively lower in south Kolkata, while north Kolkata and the northern suburbs witnessed heavier showers.

Waterlogging also affected roads leading to Kolkata airport, with reports of temporary disruption to flight operations.

The KMC said the situation remained under control, adding that booster pumps, pumping stations and lock gates were operational to drain out accumulated water. A drainage department official said civic workers had been deployed across the city and there was no cause for concern at present, although rainfall exceeding 50 mm within one hour could pose a challenge.

According to the IMD, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh, coupled with an active monsoon system, is driving the current spell of rain.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely to continue in Kolkata and neighbouring districts till Monday. Heavy rainfall has been forecast for several south Bengal districts, while north Bengal is expected to receive very heavy rain over the coming days.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.