Kolkata was brought to a standstill on Tuesday morning after a night of relentless rain flooded streets, paralysed traffic, and disrupted flight and train services. At least seven people have lost their lives in the city due to the heavy downpour, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across South Bengal in the coming days.
Residents woke up to submerged roads, stalled vehicles, and long traffic snarls, with key stretches like AJC Bose Road, EM Bypass, and the Park Circus Connector turning into virtual rivers. Authorities have advised commuters to avoid these flood-prone routes as the situation remains precarious.
The scale of the downpour was staggering, with parts of Garia Kamdahari, Jodhpur Park, Kalighat, Ballygunge, Lake Market, Rashbehari, Patuli, Santoshpur Avenue, Park Circus, Nagerbazar, and Bosepukur Talbagan reporting knee-to-waist-deep water. In Thanthania, the water rose waist-high, while pandals in Bosepukur Talbagan were completely submerged after hours of uninterrupted rainfall.
The impact was equally severe on the transport network. Several flights were delayed or cancelled as airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, issued urgent advisories asking passengers to check flight status and plan journeys with additional travel time. On the roads, school buses and pool cars remained off duty, forcing schools to cancel classes, while many offices opted for work-from-home to ease commuting woes.
Railway services also took a major hit. The Howrah and Sealdah yards were submerged, forcing Eastern Railway to cancel multiple trains. Suburban services were restricted, and the Sealdah South and Circular Railway lines were fully suspended. Long-distance trains, including the Hazarduari Express and the Sealdah&ndash;Jangipur Express, were among those cancelled.
Videos shared on social media showed cars floating on waterlogged roads and residents wading through murky waters. Emergency teams have been deployed with pumps to drain water in severely affected pockets, but with more rain forecast, the relief measures are expected to continue.
For many Kolkatans, the downpour brought back memories of the city&rsquo;s most severe flooding episodes. Yet again, the spirit of the city shone through, with locals helping each other navigate submerged streets and offering shelter to those stranded. But the IMD&rsquo;s fresh alert suggests the struggle may not be over, as South Bengal braces for more days of turbulent weather.

At-least seven dead as heavy downpour floods Kolkata, IMD warns of more showers ahead

Kolkata Rains Leave City Stranded

At-least seven dead as heavy downpour floods Kolkata, IMD warns of more showers ahead

September 23, 2025 | 18:11 IST