Kolkata Durga Puja organisers are covering pandals, securing materials and moving installation work indoors as the Met department forecasts rain across the city for the next three days, raising concerns about damage and delays roughly three weeks before the festival.
Several committees have begun adjusting their schedules and protecting structures that are already taking shape. Organisers at Maddox Square, Hatibagan Sarbojanin, Md Ali Park, Kumartuli Sarbojanin, Chorebagan, Chetla Agrani and Thakurpukur SB Park are among those taking precautions against rain and strong winds.
At United Club in Baguiati, where the pandal is almost complete, the entire structure has been covered with protective layering and secured against heavy wind. Outdoor work on the portion outside the pandal has been put on hold. “We are a little concerned about the weather forecast. Our pandal work is almost complete, so we are doing everything to protect it,” said Gourab Biswas, secretary of United Club.
The preparations come at a critical stage for committees, with pandals, props and installations expected to develop rapidly in the coming weeks. The immediate concern is to prevent damage to completed work while ensuring that rain does not disrupt the remaining construction and decoration schedule.
At Adibashi Brinda on Kanai Dhar Lane in Amherst Street, organisers have cleared drainage outlets along the roads and shifted materials indoors. The committee is taking the step after heavy rain last year inundated the entire pandal and damaged props. “Last year, heavy rain inundated the entire pandal and damaged props. Our entire puja plans turned upside down. This time we are trying to avoid such a situation,” said Somnath Biswas, general secretary.
The forecast has also forced committees to account for possible interruptions to their work calendars. At Ballygunge Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity, installation work has not yet started because preparations began late this year. Organisers said they would monitor the weather before deciding whether to pause activity. “Our park doesn’t get flooded, but we cannot predict how much it will rain. If there is any weather-related disruption, we might have to pause the preparations for two to three days,” said Abhishek De Biswas.
Ground conditions are another concern at Kumartuli Park Sarbojanin Durgaotsab Committee, where even a short spell of rain can inundate parts of the park. Organisers have kept wooden planks ready, while some portions of the park have been covered to keep materials dry, said committee member Debasish Dutta.
The committees are continuing to monitor the forecast and are expected to adjust outdoor work, material storage and installation schedules depending on the weather over the next three days.
