Kolkata, June 21 -- Despite cloudy skies on International Yoga Day, rain stayed away during the early hours, allowing lakhs of people across West Bengal to participate in yoga sessions in open grounds and on roads. However, the weather changed rapidly as the day progressed.

Before the clock struck 11 am, heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds swept across Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and both 24 Parganas. Kolkata recorded 61.09 mm of rainfall. The weather department issued a yellow alert for Bankura, Howrah, two 24-Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia and Birbhum, forecasting thunderstorms and winds of 40-50 kmph. Orange alert remained in force for East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum and Murshidabad.

The hour-long spell disrupted normal life and left several parts of Kolkata waterlogged. Areas including Patuli, Jadavpur, Kasba, Sealdah, Teghoria and Kankurgachi witnessed water accumulation, while rainwater also entered the premises of RG Kar Medical College. In Chandni Chowk, a tree collapsed onto electric wires, forcing temporary closure of traffic movement on Central Avenue. Personnel from KMC, CESC and Kolkata Police's disaster management team cleared the road after nearly 45 minutes.

KMC activated drainage pumping stations and managed to drain water from most affected pockets by afternoon. The KMC control room remained operational round the clock, while Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey monitored the situation.

Though Sunday traffic remained comparatively light due to closure of schools, colleges and offices, vehicular movement slowed significantly. NEET re-test candidates faced major difficulties reaching examination centres amid waterlogging and showers.

At Maheshtala's Mollar Gate crossing on Budge Budge Trunk Road, a dumper reportedly lost control and rammed into a man standing beneath a flyover pillar. He suffered severe injuries and underwent amputation of one leg, while the condition of the other remains critical. Police detained both the vehicle and the driver.

In another incident at Kaikhali, an app cab carrying two passengers fell into a pothole hidden beneath accumulated rainwater near Chinar Park. Locals rescued the passengers before police reached the spot.

Meanwhile, the Alipore Meteorological Department forecast more rain ahead. Extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm is likely in parts of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, while Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Behar are expected to receive very heavy showers. A red alert has been issued for the hills till Monday, followed by a yellow alert from Tuesday to Thursday.

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