Kolkata Braces for Heavy Rain — As clouds gather over the City of Joy, Kolkata is set to experience one of the heaviest rainfall spells this monsoon season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city has been placed on orange alert, with local authorities warning of possible waterlogging, traffic snarls, and temporary power disruptions.
Yet amid the disruptions, there’s also a sense of nostalgia and comfort for many Kolkatans — a cozy day of tea, books, and drizzles.
Weather Update: IMD Forecasts Persistent Rainfall
The IMD has predicted over 100 mm of rain across parts of Kolkata and its surrounding districts including Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly. The current spell is expected to last at least 48 hours, with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 45-50 km/h.
“Heavy to very heavy rain may occur in isolated pockets, with the possibility of urban flooding in low-lying zones,” said a senior IMD official.
A cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, combined with the monsoon trough shifting southwards, is responsible for the downpour.
Alert Issued: Schools Asked to Remain Cautious
Though no closure orders have been announced yet, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and District Disaster Management Authorities have urged all educational institutions to remain prepared for emergency protocol if needed.
The School Education Department has asked authorities to monitor drainage systems and review morning shift transport logistics, especially for pre-primary and primary school children.
City Response: From Drains to Deployment
Kolkata has long battled monsoon-related flooding due to its aging drainage infrastructure, much of which dates back to colonial times. KMC claims it has undertaken pre-monsoon desilting drives, but many areas remain vulnerable.
Areas prone to waterlogging:
- Behala
- Tollygunge
- Beliaghata
- Ultadanga
- Kalighat
- Lake Town
KMC Commissioner Binod Kumar said:
“We have deployed over 4,000 sanitation workers across vulnerable wards, and high-capacity water pumps are stationed near chronic flooding zones.”
Kolkata Braces for Heavy Rain: Traffic Snarls Expected
The Kolkata Traffic Police has issued a weather-sensitive traffic advisory. Certain roads known for water accumulation — like EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road connector, and stretches around Esplanade — may face partial restrictions or diversion if the rainfall exceeds 80 mm in a 6-hour window.
Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Ola are expected to see surge pricing due to vehicle scarcity and route delays.
CESC Prepares for Outages
The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) has put its monsoon contingency plan into motion. Mobile emergency teams have been activated with power cut alerts now integrated into their consumer app and SMS services.
“We urge consumers not to touch fallen wires or operate electrical equipment with wet hands,” said a CESC spokesperson.
Public Reactions: A Mix of Worry and Warmth
For daily commuters, the prospect of a soggy, chaotic day is far from appealing.
Office-goer Arindam Ghosh, who travels daily from Lake Gardens to Salt Lake, remarked:
“The combination of flooded roads, choked autos, and metro rush is a nightmare. I hope my office switches to work-from-home.”
Senior citizens and homemakers, however, see a silver lining.
Mitali Basu, a retired schoolteacher, smiled:
“This is the Kolkata I love — rain on the windows, a pot of tea, and Tagore playing in the background.”
Social media, too, was abuzz with posts of Pakora plates, coffee mugs, and #RainyDayVibes.
Suburban & Rural Bengal Also on Watch
The Hooghly and East Midnapore districts, which fall under medium flood risk zones, are being monitored closely. Irrigation department teams are on alert near DVC canals, Digha shorelines, and the Ganges tributaries.
Farmers in Murshidabad and Nadia have expressed concern about paddy seedlings, fearing the rainfall may damage saplings and delay transplanting.
Airport Delays: Operations Still On
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has issued a passenger advisory about possible flight delays or holding patterns due to low visibility.
Passengers are encouraged to:
- Arrive early
- Keep umbrellas or ponchos ready
- Use app-based check-in to avoid long queues
As of now, no flights have been cancelled, but two departures to Delhi and Guwahati were delayed on Monday morning.
Expert Voices: What This Rain Means
Meteorologist Dr. Amitava Dey:
“This type of system isn’t a cyclone but behaves like one in urban impact. Our models suggest short intense bursts — a typical urban deluge profile.”
Urban Planner Priyanka Roy:
“Kolkata needs to reimagine drainage in the climate era — sponge cities, vertical rain gardens, and digital flood modeling should be the way forward.”
Kolkata’s Monsoon History: A Quick Glance
- July 2015: 144 mm rain in 24 hours paralyzed the city
- August 2021: EM Bypass saw record 3-hour waterlogging
- July 2023: 100+ trees fell across 6 boroughs after overnight rain
The city’s monsoon behavior has become more erratic, with long dry spells interrupted by intense downpours, consistent with climate change predictions.
Helpful Government Resources
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation Monsoon Helpline
- CESC Outage Map & Alerts
- IMD Kolkata Regional Weather Office
- WB Disaster Management Dept
Looking Ahead: What Can Be Done?
- Short-Term:
- Update weather alerts every 4 hours
- Establish dry zones in metro stations
- Streamline online WFH permissions
- Mid-Term:
- Implement smart water sensors at key intersections
- Mandatory flood audits before monsoon season
- Student-initiated flood response apps in colleges
- Long-Term:
- Redesign entire neighborhoods around green infrastructure
- Decentralize drainage from ward to building level
- Train citizens in urban flood first-response
Final Word
As rain lashes windows and slows the city’s rhythm, Kolkata finds itself again in that poetic push-and-pull between chaos and charm. For some, it’s a logistical headache. For others, it’s a soulful respite. But for all, it is a reminder — that weather is not just climate, it’s culture in the City of Joy.
Stay dry. Stay safe. Stay hopeful.
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