Rain disrupts life in Kolkata, more showers in next 24 hrs

A waterlogged street in Kolkata on Friday. (PTI)

A depression over Bay of Bengal caused heavy rainfall on Friday in South Bengal, including Kolkata, which resulted in waterlogging in the city. The Met department has forecast more rains in the city and over Gangetic Bengal in the next 24 hours.

A weather warning issued by IMD read, “Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over Sub­Himalayan West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya. Heavy to very heavy rain is likely to occur at a few places over Gangetic West Bengal and at isolated places over north Odisha and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura and heavy rainfall at isolated places over Bihar and Jharkhand. Squally winds speed reaching upto 45­55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph are likely along and off north Odisha and West Bengal coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea off Odisha and West Bengal coasts.”

The forecast further said the depression over coastal Odisha has moved north­northeastwards with a speed of 18 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred over north Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand. “The system is very likely to move north­northeastwards. As the system is likely to move close to the coast, moisture incursion would continue during next 24 hours and hence the system is expected to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours. It is likely to weaken gradually into a well-marked low pressure area thereafter,” the forecast said.

Due to heavy overnight rain, sea conditions at coastal region of the state were rough. In South 24 Parganas district, several embankments were damaged in Pathar Pratima area. East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Burdwan and Birbhum received heavy rainfall and are likely to witness more rainfall on Saturday.

In Kolkata, major roads were submerged under water. People had a harrowing time looking for transport as there were less number of buses and autos. The city recorded 53.7 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours till 8.30 am Friday. The sea-side resort town of Digha recorded 60 mm rain, while Diamond Harbour in coastal South 24 Parganas district recorded 50 mm rainfall.

The state government opened a 24-hour control room to monitor the situation in South Bengal districts. “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is personally monitoring the situation. We are also keeping a track of the weather and taking measures accordingly. Each district has also opened control rooms for better coordination. We have alerted the people in the coastal region. The depression is slowly moving towards North Bengal and eventually to Bangladesh. We are also rebuilding the embankments, which have been damaged due to the rain and taking all necessary steps to combat the situation,” said state Irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee.