At Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, air travel came to a standstill as incessant rain and poor visibility made operations unsafe. “At least 30 flights have been cancelled so far, and 31 others have been delayed,” an airport official said.
Authorities warned of further flight disruptions, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast more heavy rainfall in the coming days due to a low-pressure system forming over the northeast Bay of Bengal.
Heavy flood at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport due to torrential rain in #Kolkata of West Bengal, India.#KolkataAirport pic.twitter.com/S3zvDelpau
— Neeraj ( Writer/YouthMindset4Peace) #ActOnClimate (@Neeraj10z) August 3, 2024
City Brought to a Halt by Flooding
The downpour, which began overnight, left arterial roads submerged and commuters stranded for hours. Kolkata Metro services were suspended on a major stretch of the Blue Line, with several stations shut because of flooding.
Local authorities reported at least seven deaths due to electrocution and several injuries in rain-related accidents. The worst-hit areas included southern and eastern parts of the city, with Garia Kamdahari recording 332 mm of rainfall and Jodhpur Park receiving 285 mm within just a few hours.
ALSO READ: ‘Will do business but…’: Mamata Banerjee rains blows on CESC as 7 die of electrocution in Kolkata
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) confirmed that emergency teams have been deployed for flood management and rescue work. Residents have been advised to avoid non-essential travel as the city braces for further rainfall.
Mamata Banerjee slams CESC
The rain led to at least seven deaths by electrocution and drew sharp criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against lapses by power utility CESC.
Calling the rainfall “unprecedented,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the tragedy and criticised both poor dredging of Farakka and failures of CESC. “Even our houses are submerged; we are all suffering. I am feeling so bad for the Pujo pandals as well,” Banerjee said, adding that schools have been asked to remain closed and office-goers advised to stay home for safety.
ALSO READ: As Kolkata goes under water, West Bengal govt advances Puja holidays
“It is so unfortunate that people have lost their lives. Their families must all be given jobs by the CESC, I am saying this clearly. We will also do whatever is possible to help,” she added.
Banerjee added, “Electricity is supplied by CESC, not us. It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer because of this. They will do business here, but not modernise here? They should send people to the field and fix this.”
