kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, September 24: Heavy rain continued to disrupt normal life in Kolkata as the city witnessed torrential showers throughout Wednesday night followed by intermittent spells of rain from Thursday morning. The prolonged downpour left several important roads and neighbourhoods waterlogged across both north and south Kolkata, causing inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.

According to sources in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, all pumping stations have been kept operational to ensure that accumulated rainwater is drained as quickly as possible. However, the ongoing high tide in the Ganga has created difficulties in clearing the water from several low-lying areas. With the river water level affecting the drainage process, rainwater has been taking longer than usual to recede from waterlogged stretches.

Rainfall remained intense across the city throughout Wednesday night. By Thursday, it was reported that an average of around 80 to 100 millimetres of rain had been recorded across Kolkata during the night. The showers, which began during the night, continued into Thursday morning, adding to the water accumulation on several roads.

The situation worsened after fresh spells of rain returned during the afternoon. The additional rainfall resulted in more water accumulating on already affected roads and areas. Several stretches remained partially submerged, making movement difficult for people trying to reach their workplaces and other destinations.

Office-goers faced particular difficulties as they had to travel through waterlogged roads amid continuing showers. Pedestrians also struggled to move through several affected areas, while vehicles were forced to move slowly on stretches where rainwater had accumulated. The combination of poor road conditions and reduced vehicle speed led to traffic congestion in several parts of the city.

Municipal authorities have continued efforts to maintain drainage operations by keeping pumping stations active. However, the high tide in the Ganga has emerged as an additional challenge for the city's drainage network. During periods when the river level remains high, the discharge of rainwater through the city's drainage system can be affected, resulting in water remaining on roads for longer periods.

The continuing rain has raised concerns among residents in several parts of Kolkata, particularly in areas that are vulnerable to waterlogging. With fresh spells of rain occurring throughout the day, commuters have been advised to remain cautious while travelling through affected stretches.

The civic authorities are monitoring the situation and continuing drainage operations to reduce water accumulation. As rainfall remains intermittent, residents and commuters are keeping a close watch on the weather and road conditions.

For many parts of Kolkata, the combination of heavy overnight rain, further showers during the day and the high tide has created a challenging situation. The civic administration is continuing its efforts to clear the accumulated water while normal movement remains affected in several areas.