Kolkata, Sept. 27 -- Surplus rainfall in September has triggered fresh flood concerns in parts of West Bengal, with Ghatal and Chandrakona witnessing waterlogging and inundation after days of rain. Kolkata, too, may receive more rain in the coming days, though no fresh spell of heavy rainfall is currently forecast.
The Met Office recorded 547.9mm of rain in South Bengal between September 1 and 25, more than double the normal 265.2mm for the period. The excess has pushed Kolkata's cumulative monsoon rainfall to a 30% surplus, with 1,677.7mm recorded between June 1 and September 25.
In Ghatal, 12 municipal wards and large parts of adjoining gram panchayats have been inundated. The Shilabati river rose following the continuous rain, while its embankment between Jamdan and Gopalpur reportedly breached on Saturday morning.
Floodwater has entered large areas of Ghatal and Chandrakona, submerging roads, homes and agricultural fields.
Residents in affected areas are relying on boats, while limited ferry services at Chaitanyapur are adding to the transport woes.
The low-pressure system responsible for the recent rain has moved away from West Bengal after weakening and is currently over the Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh region.
According to the Met Office, Kolkata and districts across both north and south Bengal may receive light to moderate rain at a few places over the next four to five days.
Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and other south Bengal districts may see isolated showers. Similar light to moderate rain is possible in north Bengal districts. No warning for heavy rain has been issued so far.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.