Key Facts
- Seven hours of torrential overnight rainfall began around 1:00 AM on September 23, 2025.
- At least nine people died from electrocution and drowning.
- 332 mm of rain recorded in five hours at Garia Kamdahari; Jodhpur Park (285 mm) and Kalighat (280 mm) also badly hit.
- Heaviest single-day rainfall since 1986 and sixth-highest in 137 years.
- Knee-to-waist-deep flooding submerged Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, and College Street.
- Transport collapsed: Metro services suspended, 30 flights cancelled and 42 delayed, Howrah and Sealdah railway services disrupted.
Impact on Durga Puja Celebrations
The floods struck just five days before Durga Puja, damaging iconic pandals at Bosepukur Talbagan, Thanthania, Hatibagan Nabin Pally, and Tridhara Akalbodhan.
- Tridhara Akalbodhan: CM Banerjee’s scheduled inauguration cancelled, rescheduled for next day.
- Hatibagan Nabin Pally: General Secretary Amitava Ray confirmed water damage and wall collapse, forcing power shutdowns.
- Street vendors: Hawkers reported massive losses, with one vendor losing ₹3 lakh worth of stock.
Official Response
- Two-day school closure declared; CM urged private schools to follow.
- Banerjee blamed Farakka barrage dredging and CESC for electrocution deaths.
- Mayor Firhad Hakim likened it to the 1978 floods, advising residents to stay indoors for 12–14 hours.
- KMC opened shelters in schools and deployed emergency drainage pumps.
Political Reactions
- BJP blamed Kolkata’s poor drainage, saying pandals submerged due to years of mismanagement.
- Suvendu Adhikari shared videos of bodies floating in flooded streets, demanding accountability.
- TMC’s Chandrima Bhattacharya defended the administration, calling the rainfall a rare cloudburst beyond city capacity.
Economic & Social Impact
- Public transport crippled: private buses at 20% capacity, app-based cabs charging surge fares.
- Corporate hubs like Science City severely flooded, raising investor concerns.
- Durga Puja committees suffered heavy losses in decoration, lighting, and structural damage.
- Airport chaos stranded thousands due to flight cancellations and delays.
How’s the Puja Looking?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued rainfall until September 26, with another low-pressure system likely around September 25.
- Yellow and orange alerts remain active across West Bengal.
- Pandal organizers are racing to repair damage, restore power, and ensure visitor safety.
- Idol immersion ceremonies may face risks if rivers remain swollen.
- Tourism and festival turnout could decline if rain persists, affecting Bengal’s festive economy.
With just days left, Kolkata’s festival spirit faces its toughest test in decades. The uncertainty now hangs over whether Durga Puja 2025 can proceed at full scale.
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