Kolkata Weather Update: Kolkata woke up on Wednesday morning to a curtain of drizzle, low-hanging clouds, and the unmistakable stickiness of August air. The city, known for its passionate embrace of the monsoon, is once again caught in the grip of a season that is as romantic as it is frustrating.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the day is set to bring scattered rain showers, elevated humidity levels, and overcast skies, making it one of the wettest stretches of this month so far. For millions of Kolkatans, this means a familiar mix of relief, discomfort, and disruption.
The Day’s Forecast: Showers and Stickiness
IMD officials confirmed that Kolkata will see intermittent rain and thundershowers throughout Wednesday, with temperatures hovering between 26°C and 30°C. Relative humidity is expected to touch 95–100%, creating an atmosphere that feels hotter than it actually is.
The monsoon trough, a belt of low pressure that swings across the Indo-Gangetic plains, has shifted southward and is currently aligned over Bengal. Moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal are feeding this system, ensuring consistent rainfall over the city and its surroundings.
A Familiar Scene: Rain, Roads, and Rush Hour Chaos
The first showers of the day arrived just before office hours, sending two-wheeler riders scrambling for shelter and umbrella sellers doing brisk business at roadside stalls.
Traffic police reported sluggish movement along EM Bypass, Rashbehari Connector, and Central Avenue, with waterlogging already beginning in pockets such as Ultadanga, Behala, and Tollygunge.
“Every year it is the same story,” sighed Ramesh Das, an auto driver from Garia, as he carefully navigated puddle-filled roads. “One hour of rain, and the drains start overflowing. Passengers complain, but what can we do? This city has no long-term solution for waterlogging.”
District Alerts: South Bengal on Edge
The IMD issued a Yellow Alert for South 24 Parganas, warning of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in isolated areas. Neighboring districts like Howrah, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas are also expected to receive moderate rain.
Some areas may experience gusty winds between 30–40 kmph, particularly in the afternoon. Fishermen have been advised not to venture deep into the sea for the next 48 hours.
Kolkata Weather Update: Impact on Daily Life
Commuters
- Office-goers braved long queues at bus stops as taxis and app cabs hiked fares during peak showers.
- Several trains on the Sealdah South section ran late by 10–15 minutes due to slippery tracks.
- Metro services operated normally, though entry gates at Dum Dum and Kalighat saw congestion as people switched from road to rail.
Households
- Many residents reported power cuts lasting 30–40 minutes in southern neighborhoods during morning showers.
- Families scrambled to dry clothes indoors, a seasonal ritual in Kolkata’s humid monsoon.
Markets and Businesses
- Early morning markets like Sealdah, Gariahat, and Shyambazar were crowded, as shoppers tried to finish errands before heavier rains.
- Street vendors, however, saw declining sales as pedestrians rushed home instead of lingering.
Health Concerns in Wet Weather
Doctors across the city are already reporting an uptick in seasonal illnesses.
- Viral fevers, throat infections, and gastroenteritis are on the rise.
- Mosquito-related diseases such as dengue and malaria remain a persistent worry.
- Public health experts urged citizens to boil water, avoid roadside food, and use mosquito nets or repellents.
Dr. Ananya Chatterjee, a physician at a Salt Lake clinic, noted:
“Kolkata’s combination of humidity and waterlogging creates the perfect breeding ground for diseases. With the ongoing showers, we expect a spike in cases unless preventive steps are taken.”
Historical Patterns: Kolkata’s Love-Hate Relationship with Monsoon
Monsoon rains have shaped Kolkata’s history, economy, and culture for centuries. From the romanticism of Rabindranath Tagore’s rain songs to the frustrations of civic floods, the city’s relationship with rain is deeply layered.
- 1943 Floods: Heavy rainfall submerged large parts of the city, compounding the Bengal famine crisis.
- 2007 Cloudburst: Within a few hours, Kolkata recorded more than 150 mm of rain, crippling transport.
- 2021 Monsoon: Torrential rains in August left several neighborhoods waterlogged for days, reviving debates on drainage.
This year, while rainfall has been close to average, meteorologists caution that climate change is altering rainfall patterns, making showers more intense and unpredictable.
Urban Infrastructure Under Strain
Kolkata’s century-old drainage system, built during the colonial era, has long been criticized for its inability to handle sudden bursts of rain. Despite ongoing projects by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), waterlogging continues to plague the city.
“Drainage modernization has been on the agenda for years, but implementation is slow,” said Prof. Sougata Dutta, an urban planner at Jadavpur University. “We need climate-resilient infrastructure, otherwise the city will face increasing vulnerability.”
Economic Ripple Effects
Monsoon disruptions also impact Kolkata’s economy:
- Daily wage workers lose income on rainy days when outdoor work halts.
- Retail businesses see reduced footfall in shopping hubs like New Market.
- Tourism, particularly heritage walks and river cruises, suffers cancellations.
Yet, the rains are also vital: they replenish reservoirs, boost agriculture in surrounding districts, and cool the scorching summer heat.
Comparisons with Other Cities
Kolkata’s challenges are echoed across India:
- Mumbai struggles with flash floods despite advanced pumping systems.
- Chennai faces the twin extremes of drought and flood due to erratic rainfall.
- Delhi battles waterlogging after short, intense downpours.
Experts say Kolkata’s relatively flat terrain and proximity to tidal rivers make its flooding risk unique and harder to manage.
Climate Change: The Bigger Picture
Studies by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that the Bay of Bengal is warming faster than global averages, fueling more moisture-laden systems and extreme rainfall events.
For Kolkata, this means:
- More intense but shorter rain spells, overwhelming drainage systems.
- Higher sea-level rise, raising the risk of tidal flooding.
- Greater urban heat island effect, intensifying humidity.
“Climate adaptation is no longer optional,” warned environmentalist Subhasis Roy. “Cities like Kolkata must invest in green spaces, rainwater harvesting, and resilient housing to withstand these shifts.”
Voices from the City
- Students: Many complained of disrupted online exams and delayed classes.
- Parents: Concerned about children falling sick due to dampness.
- Street Vendors: “If it rains in the evening, we lose half our sales,” said a phuchka-seller near Park Circus.
- Commuters: Office-goers resignedly shared memes on social media, dubbing the city’s condition “Monsoon Kolkata 2.0.”
Looking Ahead: Extended Forecast
- Thursday–Friday: Steady showers with a chance of heavier spells in southern districts.
- Weekend: Intermittent rainfall, high humidity, and cloud cover.
- September Outlook: Above-normal rainfall possible due to an active monsoon phase.
Conclusion: The Rhythm of Rain
For Kolkata, the monsoon is not just a season but an emotional and cultural phenomenon. It brings the joy of rain songs, steaming chai, and books by the window, but also the hardships of waterlogged alleys, delayed commutes, and health worries.
As the city soldiers through another damp week, the larger challenge lies ahead: adapting to changing climate patterns while preserving the spirit of Kolkata’s rain-soaked identity.
External References
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Time and Date – Kolkata Weather
- World Meteorological Organization – Climate Reports
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