Schools closed, metro services suspended; Heavy rainfall wreaks havoc in metropolitan city

KOLKATA: Five deaths were reported in Kolkata following incessant downpour that inundated the city in the last few hours. Traffic was paralysed while major roads were submerged in water. The deaths were reported in Beniapukur, Kalikapur, Netaji Nagar, Gariahat and Ekbalpur. Most metro services were suspended as water entered many stations. Houses and establishments in low-lying areas of the city were flooded.

Schools have been shut in the wake of the downpour that devastated the city. Garia Kamdahari recorded 332 mm of rain in a few hours, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation said. Jodhpur Park recorded 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm and Ballygunge 264 mm. As per IMD officials, the heavy rainfall was caused by a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. Air India and IndiGo flights may be grounded today due to the heavy rain, officials warned.