Severe Storms and Torrential Rain Disrupt South Bengal
Intense thunderstorms and heavy rain swept across Kolkata and South Bengal, disrupting flights, train services, and road traffic. Trees were uprooted, streets flooded, and minor injuries reported. Authorities are working on clean-up as weather instability is expected to continue over the next few days.
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Fierce thunderstorms, paired with heavy rains and strong winds, hit Kolkata and multiple districts in South Bengal, causing significant interruptions on Friday afternoon. While the storm brought relief from the scorching heat, it severely disrupted daily life across the region.
Flight operations at Kolkata's airport faced delays exceeding an hour due to waterlogged runways, while train services were affected in Sealdah's south suburban Bongaon section after fallen trees damaged overhead electrical wires. The heavy storm led to multiple trees falling in Kolkata and adjacent Salt Lake, blocking roads and damaging property, with reports of vehicles crushed by fallen branches.
Although there were no fatalities, a motorcyclist in Salt Lake sustained injuries from a lightning strike. Emergency teams, including Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the state disaster management unit, were activated to clear blocked roads using tree-cutting equipment and bulldozers. Several areas in the city experienced waterlogging, and residents were advised to stay indoors due to continued thunderstorm warnings.
The IMD Regional Meteorological Centre has predicted continued storm activity in South Bengal over the coming days, driven by key atmospheric conditions and moisture influx from the Bay of Bengal. Authorities are cautioning fishermen against sea expeditions as gusty winds are anticipated along West Bengal and Odisha's coasts.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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