Heavy rain batters Kolkata, worse may follow in next 24 hours

Heavy to very heavy rainfall, coupled with gusty surface wind, is likely to hit several parts of Kolkata due to low pressure over the Bay of Bengal, the weather department said on Monday.

Incessant rain and squally wind affected normal life in the metropolis on the first working day of the week.

Waterlogging and uprooted trees blocked some thoroughfares of the city, delaying the morning rush hour traffic.

Many schools reopened on Monday after the Durga Puja vacation and students were inconvenienced due to the heavy rain. Some schools declared a holiday owing to the inclement weather.

The situation in the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan and Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia was no better. The Sunderbans area comprising parts of North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts faced more difficulties with strong wind and rains damaging some houses.

Sea condition

State of Sea very likely to be rough to very rough along and off north Odisha and West Bengal coasts during next 24 hours. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea during the period.

Train service disrupted

Train services were disrupted in Howrah-Burdwan main line and chord line. Several long distance trains, including Punjab mail, and Coalfield Express, were held up on the way.

Flights service affected

Several flights at the Kolkata airport have been affected due to strong crosswinds and heavy rains. As many as 23 domestic flights have been diverted from the airport.

Worse to follow

A depression has formed over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Bay of Bengal and lay centred about 50 km southeast of Kolkata at 5.30 am today," the MeT department said.

The system is very likely to move initially west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep depression during the next 24 hours, it said.

Under its influence, rainfall will occur at most places over Gangetic West Bengal, north Odisha and east Jharkhand, with heavy to very heavy precipitation at isolated places in these areas, the MeT department said in its forecast till Wednesday morning.

PTI