Large areas of Kolkata and its surroundings waterlogged due to torrential rains

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was witnessed at several parts of the state due to a well-marked low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal.

Normal life came to a standstill in Kolkata on Monday (August 17, 2026) as incessant rains induced by a deep depression since early Monday (August 17) caused waterlogging exacerbating traffic snarls during office hours.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was witnessed at several parts of the State due to a well-marked low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal that rapidly intensified into a depression. 

Alipore Regional Meteorological Centre, in an official statement, said that the system was centred near Kolkata around 8:30 a.m. and is likely move towards Jharkhand and Bihar in the next 24 hours. 

Haldia in Purba Medinipur district recorded the maximum rainfall of 134 mm in 24 hours till 8:30 a.m. on Monday (August 17). The coastal town of Digha received 113 mm of rain, while Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district recorded 112 mm of rainfall during the same period.

Owing to incessant rain since last night (August 16), many thoroughfares in Kolkata and its adjoining Salt Lake and Howrah got waterlogged.

Knee-deep water was witnessed on several major roads in Kolkata. Massive traffic snarls were seen at Central Avenue, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Thanthania, College Street, Amherst Street, Park Circus Connector, and Khidirpur due to severe waterlogging. 

The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram and Bankura districts on Monday (August 17), while very heavy downpour will occur over Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman.