More rains prediceted for the next two days

Kolkata, Jul 12 (UNI) With more rains predicted for the next 48 hours, Kolkata is gearing up to face the first heavy lash of monsson this season.

Officials at the Alipore Meterological centre predicted more rains for the next two days at least.

The sources said that an already active monsoon current was further strengthened following development of low pressure area over Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal.

"The monsson over Gangetic West Bengal is now vigorous. we have issued a warning for heavy rains in Kolkata and the rest of South bengal for Wednesday and are expecting more rains in the next few days," the sources said.

Meanwhile, city life was thrown out of gear as heavy and incessant rains deluged Kolkata last night. And while the overcast skies brought some much needed relief from the heat and humidity, the city was plagued by the familiar problem of waterlogging.

The evening rainfall was marjked at 57.6 mm and it was enough to turn the city mad. Several arterial roads were waterlogged, showing the inadequacy of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to meet with such sudden crisis.

As rain continued this morning, traffic was generally slow, though water had ebbed away from most of the roads. However, the suburban areas of the city both on the North and south faced severe waterlogging.

"Most areas remained waterlogged. Though five pumps were used to tackle the problem," said Farzhana Chowdhury, MMIC (Drainage).

Train services were also hit last night, with several trains being cancelled and some being diverted. However, teh services resumed normally today even as the rain threat loomed large over the city.

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