Kolkata Waterlogging: Heavy Rains Disrupt Life, IMD Says Depression to Move Towards Jharkhand, Bihar

Normal life came to a standstill in Kolkata on Monday (August 17, 2026) as incessant rains triggered by a deep depression caused severe waterlogging and massive traffic snarls during office hours. Several parts of the city and its adjoining areas, including Salt Lake and Howrah, witnessed knee-deep water on major roads, bringing vehicular movement to a crawl.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a well-marked low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal rapidly intensified into a depression. In an official statement, the Alipore Regional Meteorological Centre said the system was centred near Kolkata around 8:30 a.m. and is likely to move towards Jharkhand and Bihar over the next 24 hours.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in several parts of the state. Haldia in Purba Medinipur district received the maximum rainfall of 134 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. The coastal town of Digha received 113 mm, while Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district recorded 112 mm during the same period.

The relentless downpour since Sunday night (August 16) left many thoroughfares in Kolkata waterlogged, including Central Avenue, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Thanthania, College Street, Amherst Street, Park Circus Connector, and Khidirpur. Commuters faced severe delays, and several offices reported lower attendance as employees struggled to reach their workplaces.

The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall in Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, and Bankura districts on Monday. Very heavy downpour is expected over Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, and Paschim Bardhaman districts. Residents in these areas have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from vulnerable structures.

Local authorities said relief teams were deployed to pump out accumulated water from low-lying areas. However, the sheer volume of rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems in several neighbourhoods. The civic body appealed to residents to remain cautious and report any waterlogging-related emergencies to control rooms.

The depression is the latest in a series of weather systems that have brought above-normal rainfall to eastern India this monsoon season. While the rains are crucial for agriculture, the intensity has raised concerns about urban infrastructure preparedness for extreme weather events.

Meteorologists noted that despite the disruption, the system is expected to move away from West Bengal within a day, offering some relief. However, the forecast for very heavy rain in several districts remains a cause for vigilance.

The event underscores the need for improved drainage systems and better urban planning in Kolkata and other cities facing recurring waterlogging during the monsoon. As the climate continues to exhibit greater variability, authorities may need to adapt infrastructure to handle more intense rainfall episodes.