September 2025 Kolkata cloudburst
| Date | 23 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 01:00 to 11:00 (IST) |
| Location | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Type | Flash flood |
| Cause | Cloudburst |
| Deaths | 11[1] |
| Non-fatal injuries | 30+ |
| Missing | 2 |
On 23 September 2025, an intense cloudburst occurred in Kolkata, causing widespread waterlogging and flash floods around the city. The incident caused 9 deaths in Kolkata and 2 deaths in nearby districts, 30 injuries and at least 2 people left missing.[2]
Overview
[edit]Following the commencement of preparations for Kolkata's most celebrated festival, Durga Puja, a strong cloudburst occurred in the early morning hours of September 23, 2025, causing severe flash floods and damage across the city. At least 9 people were reported dead due to electrocution. Fatalities were reported across different parts of Kolkata, with one death each in Gariahat, Garfa, Ekbalpur, Beniapukur, Shakespeare Sarani, Netajinagar, Haridevpur, Narendrapur and Behala.[3][4]
Meteorological observation
[edit]
Indian Meteorological Department recorded heavy rainfall throughout the city. The southern and eastern parts of the city experienced the most intense rainfall. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation reported that Garia Kamdahari recorded 332 mm of rain in just a few hours. Other areas recorded significant rainfall, including Jodhpur Park with 285 mm, Kalighat 280 mm, Topsia 275 mm, Ballygunge 264 mm, Alipore 251 mm and Thantania in north Kolkata 195 mm.[5] In addition to Kolkata, heavy rainfall affected several surrounding suburban areas and nearby cities. According to a bulletin released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Basirhat received 109 mm of rainfall and Barrackpore received 71 mm of rainfall.[6]
Outcome
[edit]
Due to extreme rainfall, several famous Durga Puja committee's pandals of Kolkata including Singhi Park, Hatibagan Nabin Pally, Chaltabagan Sorbojonin, Nalin Sarkar Street got damaged. Waterlogging occurred in several pandals including Maddox Square, Tridhara Sammilani, Bullygunge Cultural Association.[7][8] Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, University of Calcutta and Jadavpur University suspended all academic activities on Tuesday as torrential overnight rain paralysed normal life in Kolkata. Train and metro services have been disrupted, and many Durga Puja pandals are damaged across the city.[9] Many roads are closed due to the waterlogging occurred in several busy roads like Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Central Avenue, Rashbehari Avenue etc. 30 flights got cancelled because of bad weather, Airline companies like Spicejet and Indigo Airlines had issued safety advisories for those passengers who were travelling to or from Kolkata Airport. West Bengal's Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced the Durga Puja vacation before two days of its scheduled time due to the hazardous weather conditions prevailing in Kolkata.[10]
See Also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kolkata Rain Live Updates: 11 Killed As Heaviest Downpour In Decades Hits City; IMD Warns Of More Showers". Zee News. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "Kolkata Rain Live Updates: 7 dead, multiple flights hit, Vande Bharat trains rescheduled, power supply cut; IMD issues warning". The Times of India. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Rains lash Kolkata, Maharashtra, Telangana amid changing weather conditions". The Hindu. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Five die after Indian city receives worst single-spell rainfall in years". BBC News. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Kolkata Rain: Low Pressure Over Bay of Bengal, IMD Alert; Waterlogging Areas & Traffic Routes to Avoid During Durga Puja". Livemint. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Weather Observation Report for Kolkata and Surrounding Areas" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Kolkata Rain: জল থইথই চালতাবাগান সর্বজনীনের পুজো মণ্ডপে, গলে গিয়েছে প্রতিমাও". ABP Live (in Bengali). 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ আনন্দ উৎসব ডেস্ক (23 September 2025). "মণ্ডপ ভাঙল হাতিবাগানে, জলে ডুবে বহু প্যান্ডেল, চার দিনের মধ্যে ক্ষয়ক্ষতি সামলাবেন কী ভাবে?". আনন্দবাজার. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "West Bengal Live Updates: Heavy Rain, Kolkata Waterlogged Districts; Local Train Stopped, Calcutta University Exams Cancelled". ABP Ananda. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Kolkata rain live updates: Heavy rainfall, waterlogging, floods, traffic, schools closed; IMD alert". Times of India. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.