Kolkata Highest Rainfall July 2025 — The city of Kolkata was drenched under the season’s highest rainfall on Monday, recording the wettest July day in over four years. Streets were submerged, temperatures dipped, traffic came to a crawl, and thousands were left stranded across the city as the monsoon intensifies across eastern India.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Alipore observatory measured 145 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, while the Dum Dum station recorded 130 mm, marking one of the heaviest single-day showers in recent memory.
Meteorological Update: Why It Rained So Much
The downpour was caused by a well-marked low-pressure area that developed over the northeastern Bay of Bengal, pushing heavy moisture-laden winds into the city. The system is being closely tracked and is expected to strengthen further, bringing more rain over the next 48 hours.
Meteorologist Dr. A.K. Sen from IMD Kolkata said:
“This is the result of a strong monsoon surge from the Bay of Bengal converging with a cyclonic circulation near Bangladesh. It’s a classic monsoon intensification pattern.”
Historic Rainfall Context
The July 8 rainfall broke several recent records:
| Year | Rainfall on Wettest July Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 145 mm |
| 2021 | 128 mm |
| 2020 | 103 mm |
| 2019 | 96 mm |
The last time Kolkata saw this kind of intensity in July was in 2018 when 172 mm was recorded in a single day.
Immediate Impacts: City Underwater
Much of South and Central Kolkata was submerged by early afternoon. Key zones affected:
- Tollygunge, Behala, and Ballygunge: Knee-deep water.
- College Street and Esplanade: Major traffic snarls.
- Salt Lake Sector V: IT workers were stranded as app-based cabs canceled bookings.
Public transportation took a major hit:
- Metro services saw delays of up to 15 minutes due to waterlogging near surface-level stations.
- Bus and tram services were suspended in certain routes.
- Flight departures at Kolkata Airport were delayed by 30–45 minutes due to poor runway visibility.
Temperature Dip Brings Relief
The only silver lining? A drop in mercury. The maximum daytime temperature fell to 27.2°C, about 5 degrees below normal, offering much-needed respite from the recent heatwave. The city had experienced highs of over 36°C just a week ago.
Government Response and Relief Measures
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) deployed over 300 pumps to clear waterlogged areas. Mayor Firhad Hakim, who toured the worst-hit zones, said:
“Our emergency teams have been working round the clock. Power cuts were localized and we ensured no major grid disruptions.”
- Disaster Management Units were deployed in Kalighat and Garden Reach, where low-income households faced severe flooding.
- Traffic Police manually managed signals in areas where electric systems failed due to waterlogging.
- Food packets and water bottles were distributed by local councillors in slum pockets.
School Closures and Work Disruptions
Several schools and colleges declared a rain holiday. Parents’ associations praised the swift decision-making, citing unsafe commute conditions.
- Office attendance across the city dropped by nearly 40%.
- Remote work was advised in many IT and BPO firms.
The Education Department has not yet issued an advisory for the coming week, but warnings remain in place.
Health Advisory Issued
The Health Department has asked citizens to take precautions:
- Avoid wading through water to prevent leptospirosis and skin infections.
- Boil drinking water.
- Use mosquito nets as standing water may increase dengue cases.
Emergency contact numbers for the Health Department and Disaster Management Cell have been circulated by the West Bengal government.
Forecast Ahead: More Showers Coming
According to the IMD’s 5-day forecast:
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in Kolkata and surrounding districts (Howrah, Hooghly, North & South 24 Parganas).
- The monsoon trough remains active and will stay positioned over Gangetic Bengal.
- The low-pressure system may intensify into a depression, leading to widespread rain till at least July 13.
Check Live Weather Updates – IMD
Infrastructure Under Strain
Despite promises of upgraded drainage, parts of Kolkata remain vulnerable. Civic engineers said a combination of factors worsened the waterlogging:
- Blocked stormwater drains in older areas.
- Illegal constructions obstructing flow.
- Outdated British-era sewer networks still in use.
Urban planner Prof. Sandeep Roy noted:
“Kolkata’s rainfall management system needs both technical upgrades and local governance reform. Pumping stations work, but they can’t do miracles if drains remain choked.”
Climate Change Connection?
Environmental scientists warn that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Dr. Nilanjana Chatterjee, climatologist at Jadavpur University, said:
“Urban heat islands and rising sea temperatures in the Bay of Bengal are amplifying monsoon depressions. We must treat this as a new normal, not an anomaly.”
The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report already flagged eastern India as highly vulnerable to climate-exacerbated floods.
Kolkata Highest Rainfall July 2025: Citizen Voices
Rohit Sen, a software engineer in Sector V:
“Took me 3 hours to get to work. Uber canceled, autos were overcharging, and it felt like I was boating through water!”
Sumitra Pal, school principal:
“Kids were scared. They arrived drenched. We sent them back early as buses couldn’t move.”
Social media was flooded with photos, videos, and memes showing waterlogged streets, floating footwear, and frustrated commuters.
Emergency Numbers (West Bengal Government):
- Disaster Control Room: 1070 / 033-2214-3024
- KMC Waterlogging Helpline: 1800-345-1213
- Power Outage Assistance (CESC): 1912
- Health Dept Fever Helpline: 1800-313-444-222
Final Word
While the July monsoon has finally arrived in full force, the deluge has exposed the vulnerability of Kolkata’s drainage systems, transportation resilience, and citizen safety. With forecasts predicting more rain, the city must brace for continued challenges and adapt more quickly to the evolving weather patterns driven by climate change.
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