Kolkata Rain: Waterlogging in Kolkata due to heavy rain, metro and train services halted; one dead

Heavy overnight rain during the Sharadiya Navratri festival has severely affected the city of Kolkata in West Bengal. Waterlogging has occurred in many areas of Kolkata, severely impacting metro and rail services. On Tuesday, Kolkata Metro Railway suspended operations between several stations due to heavy rain for passenger safety. Meanwhile, Eastern Railway has canceled or rescheduled several trains. According to information, metro services have been completely shut down from Shahid Khudiram to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station due to heavy waterlogging in the central section between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations. Limited (truncated) services are running from Dakshineswar to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station.

Metro officials stated that water removal work is progressing rapidly and staff are present at the site. Efforts are being made to restore normal services as soon as possible. Additionally, the railway reported that heavy waterlogging has occurred in the Howrah and Sealdah yards and car sheds. Water has accumulated on the railway tracks at various locations in the Chitpur North Cabin and Sealdah Yard. Water pumps have been installed in several places, but water is flowing back from surrounding areas, worsening the problem. As a result, some suburban trains were run on shorter routes during the morning hours, and an emergency plan has been implemented.

Several trains canceled due to waterlogging
Additionally, the Kolkata-Haldibari Express (Train No. 12363) has been canceled due to waterlogging in the yard and on the tracks. Furthermore, the Hazaraduari Express Kolkata (Train No. 13113) and the Sealdah-Jangipur Express (Train No. 13177) have been canceled. Moreover, some trains have been rescheduled, including the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, the Howrah-Gaya Vande Bharat Express, and the Howrah-Jamalpur Vande Bharat Express. Meanwhile, due to the heavy rain, a 60-year-old man died from electrocution in Kolkata. The incident occurred in the Iqbalpur police station area, where rainwater had accumulated on the streets.

One person dies from electrocution
On Tuesday morning around 5:15 AM, police received information that a man named Jitendra Singh was electrocuted on Hussain Shah Road (Iqbalpur police station area). He was immediately taken to SSKM Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Due to heavy rain, train delays are occurring in the Sealdah section. Passengers are advised to use alternative transport and check for updates.

Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of India’s West Bengal state and was the capital of British India until 1911. Founded as an East India Company trading post in 1690, it grew into a major port and a vibrant center for art, literature, and political thought, famously known as the «Cultural Capital of India.» The city is renowned for its colonial architecture, such as the Victoria Memorial, and its intense intellectual and revolutionary history during the Indian independence movement.

West Bengal

West Bengal is a state in eastern India with a rich cultural and historical heritage, centered around its capital, Kolkata. It was the epicenter of the Bengali Renaissance in the 19th century, a period of major social and cultural reform, and was later a focal point of the Indian independence movement. The region is renowned for its contributions to literature, art, cinema, and festivals like Durga Puja.

Shahid Khudiram

Shahid Khudiram refers to Khudiram Bose, a revered Indian revolutionary and one of the youngest martyrs of the Indian independence movement. He was executed by the British colonial authorities in 1908 at the age of 18 for his attempt to assassinate a British magistrate. Today, numerous parks, stations, and statues across India are named «Shahid Khudiram» in his honor, serving as memorials to his sacrifice.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar was a legendary Indian actor who dominated Bengali cinema from the 1950s until his death in 1980. He is not a physical place but a cultural icon, revered with the title «Mahanayak» (Great Hero) for his unparalleled contribution to films. His legacy is celebrated through a metro station, a statue, and an award named in his honor in Kolkata.

Rabindra Sarobar

Rabindra Sarobar is an artificial lake and urban oasis in Kolkata, India, created in the 1920s by excavating marshy land. It was named after the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore and has since become a vital green space for recreation and cultural activities. The area is historically significant for its role in the Bengali Renaissance and is a popular spot for boating and evening strolls.

Dakshineswar

Dakshineswar is a famous Hindu temple located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in Kolkata, India. It was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and devotee of the goddess Kali. The temple is historically significant as the place where the 19th-century mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa served as a priest and attained spiritual enlightenment.

Howrah

Howrah is a major city in West Bengal, India, located on the western bank of the Hooghly River opposite Kolkata. It is historically and economically significant as a vital transportation hub, most famously for the Howrah Junction railway station and the iconic Howrah Bridge, a cantilever bridge completed in 1943 that is one of the busiest in the world.

Sealdah

Sealdah is a major railway station and transportation hub located in Kolkata, India. It was established in 1869 and has since been a vital gateway for suburban and long-distance trains connecting the city to eastern and north-eastern regions. The station is historically significant for handling a massive influx of refugees during the Partition of Bengal in 1947 and the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.