Rain Spells in Kolkata Over Next Two Days: Kolkata is preparing for yet another spell of rainfall as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate showers accompanied by squally winds over the next two days. The forecast comes just after the city experienced its third-highest single-day September rainfall in decades, which caused widespread waterlogging, traffic chaos, road damage, and civic disruptions.
With Durga Puja preparations in full swing, the possibility of renewed showers is raising concerns among residents, civic authorities, and pandal organizers alike. While the IMD has clarified that the intensity of rainfall will not be as extreme as the recent deluge, the psychological and infrastructural strain left behind means that even moderate showers could trigger fresh disruptions.
Rain Spells in Kolkata Over Next Two Days: Meteorological Outlook
The IMD bulletin indicates that a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal will influence weather patterns in Kolkata and parts of South Bengal.
- Rainfall type: Light to moderate showers, scattered across the city.
- Wind impact: Squally winds likely until Saturday, after which intensity should ease.
- Duration: Showers expected between Friday evening and late Saturday night.
- Temperatures: Daytime highs hovering near 33°C, minimum around 26°C.
Meteorologists explained that while the system may not move directly over Bengal, its outer circulation bands can still pull in moisture, creating localized rainfall. The system also has the potential to intensify into a depression, though models suggest it may stay offshore.
🔗 Reference: India Meteorological Department
Recent Rainfall and Lingering Damage
Only days ago, Kolkata was battered by record rainfall, leaving the city submerged.
- Nearly 252 mm of rainfall fell within 24 hours — placing it among Kolkata’s heaviest September downpours since 1978.
- Roads across key areas like Behala, Garden Reach, Garia, and EM Bypass remained under water for hours.
- At least 12 fatalities were reported in the city and nearby districts, linked to electrocution, collapsing walls, and water-related accidents.
- Newly repaired stretches of road developed deep craters, worsening traffic flow.
The sudden return of rain predictions has sparked anxiety that repair and recovery efforts may unravel before they stabilize.
🔗 Related reference: National Disaster Management Authority – Flood Preparedness
Impact on Daily Life
Traffic and Roads
- Several arterial roads, already weakened, risk new potholes if rainfall persists.
- Barricaded craters on Diamond Harbour Road and Hazra Road may expand, causing severe bottlenecks.
- Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers worry about damaged suspensions and loss of daily income during rains.
Commuters and Safety
- Motorcyclists face risks from hidden potholes filled with water.
- Cyclists and pedestrians must navigate slippery roads and open drains.
- Power disruptions remain a possibility in flood-prone neighborhoods.
Durga Puja Preparations
- Pandal structures, lighting setups, and decorations are vulnerable to squally winds.
- Organizers are reinforcing bamboo structures and waterproofing pandal interiors.
- Footfall management may become complicated if roads get waterlogged during festive days.
Civic Preparations
Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and allied agencies have gone on alert:
- Pumping stations: All permanent stations activated.
- Portable pumps: Over 500 mobile units kept ready in low-lying neighborhoods.
- Control rooms: 24×7 monitoring cells set up across boroughs.
- Manual teams: Sewer cleaning squads deployed for quick desilting.
- Emergency instructions: Mayor has directed focus on Puja routes and major pandal zones.
Officials admit that while preparedness is in place, the city’s fragile drainage network leaves little margin if rainfall intensity increases.
🔗 Reference: Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Recurring Urban Challenge
The situation highlights a familiar cycle for Kolkata:
- Heavy rains cause flooding and road damage.
- Patch repairs are done hurriedly ahead of festivals.
- Fresh showers undo the repairs, causing recurring frustration.
Experts argue that long-term solutions are needed, including:
- Use of interlocking concrete blocks instead of asphalt in waterlogging zones.
- Smart drainage systems with real-time monitoring.
- Greater accountability for road repair contractors through independent audits.
🔗 Reference: Indian Roads Congress
Public Health Concerns
Waterlogging does more than delay traffic — it creates health hazards:
- Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising the risk of dengue and malaria.
- Overflowing drains increase the spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera.
- Disrupted garbage collection during rains worsens sanitary conditions.
The West Bengal Health Department has asked civic bodies to step up spraying of larvicides and maintain sanitation drives.
Climate Change Angle
The unpredictability of the Bay of Bengal weather systems has been intensifying. Climate scientists note:
- Warming seas fuel stronger low-pressure formations.
- Short bursts of intense rainfall are becoming more common in eastern India.
- Urban expansion without corresponding infrastructure upgrades worsens flooding impact.
For Kolkata, this means that climate-resilient infrastructure is no longer optional.
🔗 Reference: Ministry of Earth Sciences – Climate Change
What Citizens Can Do
- Avoid traveling through waterlogged streets where drains may be open.
- Keep electrical appliances switched off if water enters homes.
- Store drinking water to avoid contamination during supply disruptions.
- Follow civic advisories on road closures and traffic diversions.
- Pandal visitors should carry umbrellas and avoid crowding near unstable structures during winds.
Conclusion
The Met prediction of rain spells in Kolkata over the next two days serves as both a weather update and a cautionary reminder. While the showers may not match the ferocity of the city’s recent deluge, their timing could strain recovery efforts, delay road repairs, and unsettle Durga Puja preparations.
For Kolkata, resilience will depend not only on civic response mechanisms but also on long-term structural reforms that address drainage, road durability, and climate adaptation. Until then, each fresh spell of rain will continue to test the city’s preparedness — and its people’s patience.
🔗 External references for context:
- India Meteorological Department
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation
- National Disaster Management Authority – Flood Preparedness
- Ministry of Earth Sciences – Climate Change
- Indian Roads Congress
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