On September 23, 2025, Kolkata was hit by extremely heavy overnight rainfall, with some parts of the city recording more than 300 mm of rain in just a few hours. This led to severe waterlogging across several neighborhoods, right in the middle of Durga Puja preparations.
Casualties
- At least seven people lost their lives, most due to electrocution in flooded areas.
- The victims included residents from Beniapukur, Netaji Nagar, Ekbalpur, and Gariahat.
Areas Affected
- Key localities such as Jadavpur, Baghajatin, Salt Lake, Golf Green, Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, Ballygunge, and College Street were left submerged under knee-to-waist-deep water.
- Even major roads like EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road, and Central Avenue were flooded, causing huge traffic jams.
Impact on Daily Life
- Transport: Train and Metro services were disrupted; flights faced delays as IndiGo and Air India issued advisories.
- Education: Many schools declared a holiday. CM Mamata Banerjee advanced the Durga Puja holidays in state-run institutions.
- Public Chaos: Taxis, buses, and app-based cabs either stopped operating or charged very high fares. Many houses and apartment complexes were also inundated.
Government & Public Reaction
- CM Mamata Banerjee called the rainfall “unprecedented”, acknowledging its severe impact.
- Residents compared it to a cloudburst, saying such flooding hadn’t been seen in nearly two decades (last big floods were in 2007 on the same date).
- Social media was flooded with videos of cars submerged and people wading through water.
Weather Outlook
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the rain was due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
- More heavy rainfall is expected in Kolkata and South Bengal districts (Purba & Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, Bankura) until at least September 25.
👉 In short: Kolkata faced one of its worst rain-related disasters in years — 7 people died, large parts of the city went underwater, flights and trains were hit, and Durga Puja plans were thrown into chaos.
