Salt Lake Sector V Grapples with Severe Waterlogging After Heavy Rains
Kolkata, July 31, 2025: A bout of relentless rainfall over the past 24 hours has left Salt Lake Sector V — the city’s bustling IT and business hub — struggling under severe waterlogging, bringing daily life and business operations to a near halt. The unexpected deluge has once again exposed the vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure in dealing with monsoon showers.
On Thursday morning, commuters heading to offices in Sector V were greeted by submerged roads and knee-deep water in several stretches, especially near the busy Nabadiganta Industrial Township area. Vehicles moved at a snail’s pace, with many two-wheelers and low-rise cars stalling mid-way due to water entering their engines. Pedestrians, too, had to wade through murky water to reach offices, risking slips and injuries.
The stretch along the College More crossing and parts of the major arterial roads saw the worst flooding. The local administration deployed pumps to drain out water, but the process has been slow, largely due to clogged drainage channels. As the water level rose, traffic police personnel were seen guiding vehicles and helping pedestrians cross safely, while civic workers tried to clear debris from drains.
“The situation has become unmanageable during every spell of heavy rain. Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, there’s been little improvement,” said Priya Sengupta, an IT professional working in Sector V. “Today, I had to walk more than half a kilometer through water just to reach my office building,” she added.
Salt Lake Sector V, which houses hundreds of IT companies, startups, and government offices, has long struggled with drainage issues. The rapid commercial growth over the last decade has not been matched by an upgrade in civic infrastructure. Poorly maintained drains, unplanned construction, and encroachment on drainage channels have collectively contributed to the area’s chronic waterlogging problem.
Business owners, too, voiced their frustration. “Power cuts often follow waterlogging, affecting server operations and online services. It impacts not just us but also our global clients,” said Ravi Kumar, who manages a mid-sized IT firm. Many companies were forced to allow employees to work from home as access to offices became nearly impossible.
The Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA), responsible for the civic administration of Sector V, said efforts were on to clear the water. “Our teams have been working round the clock to address the waterlogging. The high rainfall in a short duration overwhelmed the drainage system,” an NDITA spokesperson said. “We are identifying critical bottlenecks and will take immediate measures to prevent recurrence,” the official added.
Residents and workers in Sector V, however, remain skeptical. Local associations have been demanding a comprehensive drainage overhaul, including the construction of wider drainage channels, proper maintenance of existing drains, and strict action against illegal encroachments. Many also suggested the adoption of rainwater harvesting systems to reduce pressure on the drainage network.
Urban planning experts point out that unless drainage infrastructure keeps pace with the area’s rapid urbanization, such incidents will continue to occur. “Sector V’s development has largely been commercial, without parallel investment in basic civic infrastructure. A sustainable drainage masterplan and periodic maintenance are essential,” said Professor Suman Roy, an urban planner at Jadavpur University.
For now, the forecast remains grim, with the Regional Meteorological Centre warning of more heavy rainfall in the coming days. Commuters have been advised to plan their travel accordingly and to use public transport where possible to reduce traffic congestion.
As office hours drew to a close on Thursday, many employees, still in wet clothes, were seen struggling to find transport back home, while traffic remained slow across the waterlogged stretches. For Kolkata’s key technology district, the day served as yet another reminder of the pressing need for resilient urban planning in the face of changing weather patterns.
The residents and workforce of Salt Lake Sector V hope that this time, the wake-up call does not go unanswered.
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