KOLKATA: Heavy rain lashed Kolkata on Monday, leaving several areas waterlogged and disrupting traffic, with office-goers and commuters facing a tough time. Sector V, the city’s IT hub, and several low-lying areas were affected, while waterlogging was reported in Thanthania, C R Avenue, parts of Jadavpur, Salt Lake and stretches of VIP Road, including the Haldiram’s and Chinar Park crossings in Rajarhat.
The rain also disrupted traffic towards the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The airport issued a traffic advisory in the morning, reporting heavy traffic from Chingrighata and an estimated travel time of 49 minutes. Passengers were advised to keep sufficient buffer time.
The Regional Meteorological Centre, Kolkata, warned of heavier rain in the next 24 hours, forecasting intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers with one or two intense spells. It said 7-20 cm of rainfall was very likely in 24 hours, with isolated extremely heavy rain of more than 20 cm possible in parts of southern West Bengal on Tuesday.
Several low-lying areas were waterlogged following the heavy showers, affecting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic moved slowly on several key stretches, with commuters reporting longer travel times.
The airport advisory said: “Heavy traffic reported towards NSCBI Airport from Chingrighata.”
The weather office’s capital city advisory, issued at 11.30 am, said rainfall during intense spells could reach 2-3 cm an hour. It warned of waterlogging in low-lying areas, possible closure of underpasses and reduced visibility during heavy rain.
For Tuesday, the IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain of 7-20 cm, with isolated extremely heavy rain exceeding 20 cm in southern West Bengal. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, occasionally reaching 40-50 kmph, are also likely.
The IMD advised people to regulate travel during heavy rain and avoid taking shelter near trees and vulnerable structures.
Rain activity is expected to shift towards North Bengal from August 20, with isolated heavy rain likely there through August 22. - The Statesman/ANN
