Kolkata rains: 62 flights cancelled; train, traffic services disrupted as death toll reaches 8

New Delhi: Kolkata is reeling under the impact of heavy overnight rain on Tuesday, with at least eight people losing their lives. Torrential downpour has left several areas waterlogged and disrupted road, rail, and air traffic as the city gears up for Durga Puja celebrations.

The deaths were reported from Beniapukur, Kalikapur, Netaji Nagar, Gariahat, Ekbalpur, Behala, and Haridevpur. According to reports, at least three fatalities were caused by electrocution while wading through waterlogged streets. The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) has issued an advisory asking people to avoid electric poles and wires submerged in water.

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Flights and trains disrupted operations, and Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chanda Bose International Airport is severely affected. Sixty-two flights were cancelled, while 42 others were delayed. Air India and IndiGo issued advisories warning of further delays due to waterlogging on the tarmac and traffic congestion en route to the airport.

Railway services were also affected as waterlogging was reported at both Howrah and Sealdah stations. Several suburban and Metro services were delayed or cancelled. Traffic snarls across the city added to commuters' woes.  

The West Bengal government declared Puja holidays in state-run educational institutions two days ahead of schedule. Bratya Basu, State Education Minister announced in a post on "X", "An unprecedented disaster situation has arisen in the state. Following the advice of the Honorable Chief Minister, to provide relief to students and protect them from accidents during this disaster, it has been decided to keep all schools and higher education institutions in the state closed tomorrow and the day after, i.e., 24 and 25 September. During this disaster period, all teachers and education staff associated with education are requested to carry out essential tasks from home. Since the official Puja holidays begin on 26 September, the Durga Puja holidays will effectively start from tomorrow. I extend my best wishes and congratulations to everyone for the upcoming Sharadiya festival. My deep and heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the fellow citizens who lost their lives in this disaster."

Mayor Firhad Hakim described the situation as unprecedented. There is so much water in my locality too. I have never seen such waterlogging. Relief camps have been set up for affected families. If it does not rain further, we expect normalcy by tonight,” he said.

The deluge quickly sparked a political slugfest as the BJP accused the Trinamool Congress-led Kolkata Municipal Corporation of civic failure and corruption. The BJP also said that Durga Puja pandals had been submerged due to poor drainage. In response,  Shashi Panja, Women and Child Development Minister hit back by accusing the BJP of politicising the rain tragedy that killed at least seven. "Amid calamity, leadership is measured in compassion and action. BJP offers neither. Instead, they mock Bengal while their own governments fail their people year after year at the first sign of heavy rain. Empathy? That’s beyond their vocabulary," she said.

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Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari charged the Power Department with "criminal negligence" over the deaths caused due to electrocution.