Kolkata Rains Trigger Flash Floods, Heavy Rains Slow Traffic Across Major Routes
Kolkata witnessed widespread traffic snarls and flash flooding across several pockets on Monday following intense, short-duration rainfall that overwhelmed drainage infrastructure and stranded vehicles along key routes. With Jodhpur Park recording nearly 95 mm of rain in just two hours, several flyovers and arterial roads, including Maa flyover and EM Bypass, experienced severe traffic congestion. Commuters were left battling delays as the city braced for more intermittent showers and cloudy conditions forecast to continue through Tuesday.
Monday’s sudden downpour disrupted normal life across Kolkata, especially in southern zones and along crucial flyover routes. The Jodhpur Park area saw an intense burst of 95 mm rainfall between 4 pm and 6 pm, flooding low-lying streets and clogging traffic across the EM Bypass corridor. Key points like PC Connector, Anwar Shah Connector, and Dhakuria were waterlogged, significantly impacting traffic flow into the evening. Morning commutes also suffered, with the stretch from Kadapara to Metropolitan crossing moving at a crawl. Traffic slowed to a near standstill on the Maa flyover and VIP Bazar-Science City section as two-wheeler riders stopped beneath ramps seeking rain shelter. Officers deployed emergency personnel to manage the congestion under difficult conditions. The cumulative effect saw office-goers and school runs disrupted citywide. With high water retention in areas like Rashbehari and Lake Gardens, the city’s drainage system once again struggled to keep pace with intense but localised rainfall.
As evening rain intensified, traffic choked several more city stretches, including PTS crossing, Moulali, and Park Circus, adding to the earlier gridlock. The EM Bypass saw the worst tailbacks, with six key points submerged, making movement nearly impossible during peak hours. Burdwan Road, Diamond Harbour Road, and key Rashbehari intersections also reported traffic jams linked to clogged drainage and poor visibility. Authorities attributed the disruption to a combination of a low-pressure area, a monsoon trough, and cyclonic circulation over the region. Forecasts predict continued cloudy conditions and more intermittent rainfall for Kolkata in the coming days. Emergency teams rushed to waterlogged areas with heavy-duty and portable pumps, especially in Jodhpur Park, Behala, and Dhakuria. Despite efforts, water levels receded slowly, further slowing vehicular movement and worsening the evening rush. Experts say that without long-term drainage upgrades, these flash flooding incidents may become more frequent as urban rainfall patterns intensify with climate variability.
Kolkata’s latest downpour has once again exposed the city’s vulnerability to flash flooding and monsoon-triggered transport disruption. While rapid pumping efforts were launched to flush out stormwater, the congestion left thousands of commuters stranded across key corridors. With weather authorities predicting continued rainfall, concerns loom over the city’s preparedness for back-to-back wet days. Experts emphasise the urgent need for modernised drainage systems and preemptive traffic management strategies to prevent recurring chaos during heavy rainfall events. Until systemic fixes are prioritised, Kolkata’s commuters are likely to face repeated delays and risks every monsoon season as infrastructure struggles under water pressure.
