Several parts of Kolkata were flooded after heavy overnight rains. An early morning surge in the Hooghly River exacerbated the problem.
“There was heavy rain in the western districts of the city. There was also a high tide in the river, and the floodgates that allow stormwater to drain had to be closed. As a result, several areas were knee-deep in water,” said a senior official of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
The regional office of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Kolkata said about 144 mm of rainfall had fallen till Thursday morning.
According to data provided by KMC, the rain was heavier in the southern and western parts of the city. While Behala received about 163 mm of rain, Mominpor and Kalighat received about 179 mm and 168 mm of rain, respectively. In comparison, Salt Lake and Dum Dum received only 73 mm and 51 mm of rainfall, respectively.
“Because of the high tide, the flood gates had to be closed from 4 to 8 a.m. during the rain. The water level in the streets began to drop when the gates were open. But the gates will have to be closed again from 4 to 8 a.m. because of the high tide. If it rains at that time, there will be flooding again,” said the KMC employee mentioned above.
Park Street, Camac Street, MG Road, College Street, Minto Park, Theater Road, Behala, Circus Park, and South Avenue were flooded.
