Kolkata is grappling with intense rainfall that has left large swathes of the city submerged, throwing daily life out of gear. With dark clouds hanging low and showers showing no signs of letting up, waterlogging has become a citywide struggle, from office-goers stuck in traffic to residents wading through flooded streers.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for July 9 and 10. It has predicted heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. This alert comes as the city continues to deal with disruptions, and the worst may still be ahead.
Howrah has also been placed under a yellow alert for Wednesday, as forecasts indicate continued spells of intense rain and thunderstorm activity. The western districts of Purulia and Jhargram are expected to receive heavy downpour as well.
Which Areas Are Worst Affected?
Several areas including Airport Road, VIP Road, Chinar Park, and Amherst Street, were heavily waterlogged. The visuals showed vehicles barely moving through the knee-deep water. The overwhelmed drainage system buckled under the pressure in various areas that triggered traffic snarls.
For many commuters, what would normally be a short ride, turned into a two to three hour ordeal, with buses crawling at a snail’s pace across submerged intersections. Emergency water pumping operations have been launched across vulnerable zones, yet traffic remains painfully slow in many parts of the city.
Air Travel Advisory
The relentless downpour has also raised concerns for travellers who are flying in and out of Kolkata. While airport operations, including runway movement, remain unaffected so far, access roads have taken a beating. Several airlines have already issued advisories, urging passengers to check the status of their flights through mobile apps and plan extra time for travel to the airport
More Rain Ahead: What IMD Predicts
According to the latest IMD update, showers or thunderstorms are likely across most of the region. The isolated patches are expected to receive heavy rainfall. With the alert stretching across multiple districts and rainfall showing no signs of slowing, the city remains on high alert.
As Kolkata continues to weather this monsoon fury, one can only hope for timely relief ,not just from the skies, but also from the systems in place to keep the city moving.