Kolkata Grapples with Afternoon Showers, Central and South Areas Waterlogged

Kolkata encountered a series of weather disruptions on Sunday, as repeated spells of drizzle in the morning gave way to a more intense afternoon shower, resulting in significant waterlogging across central and south areas of the city.

The day saw Kolkata receiving 12.9 mm of rainfall following a dry Saturday, with a total accumulation of 32.7 mm between Monday and Tuesday. The maximum temperature peaked at 33.7°C, while the minimum settled at 27.7°C. According to experts at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, the monsoon trough passed through Jharkhand and Contai, triggering moderate to heavy showers across southern Bengal. “The trough is expected to shift south towards Odisha by Monday, reducing rain intensity across southern Bengal, including Kolkata. However, light showers may persist,” stated a meteorologist.

In central and south Kolkata, areas such as Camac Street, Chittaranjan Avenue, Amherst Street, and Sukeas Street experienced temporary waterlogging due to the sharp afternoon shower, which receded by late afternoon. Meteorologist Biswas indicated that while southern Bengal may experience lighter rainfall over the next 48 hours, a potential northward shift of the monsoon trough could bring renewed heavier spells. In contrast, northern parts of Kolkata saw sporadic drizzles, with Ballygunge receiving 108 mm of rain between 1 pm and 3 pm, Topsia 66 mm, and Chingrighata 36 mm. Maniktala recorded 32 mm during the same period. The recent weather patterns in Kolkata reflect a transition from weak monsoon currents in the previous month to strengthened conditions, driven by an east-west trough and cyclonic circulations over Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Although the initial system has dissipated, the presence of the monsoon trough continues to influence periodic rainfall, albeit with varying intensity.

This meteorological scenario underscores the dynamic nature of Kolkata’s monsoon season, prompting both precautionary measures and anticipation of fluctuating weather conditions in the days ahead.