8 people dead in Kolkata- Unprecedented Rainfall Creates Chaos in the City

8 people dead in Kolkata after heavy overnight rainfall caused widespread flooding and chaos across the city. Torrential downpour of more than 250 mm in less than 24 hours left roads submerged, homes flooded, and traffic at a complete halt. The disaster, described as the worst single-day rainfall since 1986, forced schools to declare holidays and disrupted rail and air services, plunging the city into crisis.

The rainfall began late at night and intensified by early morning, inundating major intersections such as Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, and College Street. Vehicles were stuck for hours in waist-deep water, while commuters faced massive delays. The downpour, which measured 251.4 mm, is the sixth-highest in the last 137 years of Kolkata’s weather records, only behind the 1978 flood when the city received 369.6 mm in one day.

8 people dead in Kolkata- Government and Public Response Amid the Crisis

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim confirmed that most areas of the city were waterlogged and said municipal teams were working around the clock to pump out water. However, drainage canals and rivers were already overflowing, making the task nearly impossible. Authorities warned that high tide could worsen the situation further, delaying relief efforts.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the rainfall “unprecedented” and blamed lapses in infrastructure maintenance for the electrocution deaths. She criticized the power utility CESC, saying the company must modernize its systems to prevent accidents during such disasters. The Chief Minister also appealed to citizens to stay off waterlogged streets to avoid further casualties.

The state government declared holidays for all educational institutions on September 24 and 25. Schools and universities suspended classes, with officials urging teachers and staff to work from home. Both Calcutta University and Jadavpur University halted academic activities until the situation improves.

Transport and Daily Life Hit Hard

The rainfall left major roads, including EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road, and Central Avenue, completely waterlogged. Long traffic jams built up as buses broke down in the middle of flooded streets, while taxis and app-based cabs either refused rides or charged steep fares. Many residential complexes also reported water entering basements and ground floors, leaving residents stranded indoors.

8 people dead in Kolkata- Metro Rail services were suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations due to flooding on the Blue Line tracks, particularly near Rabindra Sarobar. Only truncated services were available on the northern stretch, with full operations expected to resume once water receded. Suburban train services from Sealdah were also severely hit, with the south section completely suspended and only partial operations in the north. Eastern Railway reported similar disruption from Howrah and Kolkata terminal stations as tracks were submerged.

Air travel was not spared, with at least 30 flights cancelled and more than 30 others delayed as the heavy downpour affected airport operations. Passengers faced hours of uncertainty as airlines adjusted schedules to the weather conditions.

Kolkata Braces for More Rain

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to bring more rain to south Bengal districts, including Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, and Bankura. Rainfall intensity was found to be higher in the southern and eastern parts of Kolkata. Garia Kamdahari recorded 332 mm of rainfall in just a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park at 285 mm and Kalighat at 280 mm. Several other neighbourhoods including Ballygunge, Topsia, and north Kolkata received more than 190 mm.

Heavy rain hits Kolkata, eight killed in parts of Bengal https://t.co/BBWbSNm0HA pic.twitter.com/j1MFDGiWsY

— NDTV (@ndtv) June 12, 2018

8 people dead in Kolkata- With the water level rising and drainage systems overwhelmed, residents have been left struggling with power outages, lack of safe drinking water, and transport breakdowns. Many areas are still submerged, and officials fear that if rainfall continues, recovery will be slower than expected. Also Read: Julia Roberts: 3 Unexpected Moments from a Confusing Interview That Sparked Reactions

Conclusion

8 people dead in Kolkata highlights the scale of the crisis triggered by record rainfall. The city has come to a halt with schools closed, transport suspended, and essential services disrupted. Authorities are working to bring relief, but more downpour could worsen the already difficult situation.