Kolkata, Sep 23 (NationPress) The number of fatalities in West Bengal due to overnight rainfall in various areas, particularly around the capital city of Kolkata, has tragically risen to 10 by 8:30 p.m. Reports indicate that eight of these occurred within Kolkata.

All fatalities in Kolkata were due to electrocution as victims encountered exposed electrical wires submerged in water across different flooded areas of the city.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has held CESC Ltd, a private power generation and distribution company owned by Sanjiv Goenka, responsible for these tragic events, asserting that the fatalities could have been prevented if the company had improved its infrastructure.

Avijit Ghosh, CESC’s executive director of distribution services, stated that a thorough investigation into the eight electrocution deaths revealed that they occurred inside their homes due to wiring problems. Additionally, two incidents involved contact with streetlight poles, which CESC typically does not maintain. One incident occurred at a signal kiosk. Ghosh assured that they would enhance vigilance to prevent future occurrences.

Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, along with Amit Malviya from the BJP's central office for West Bengal, suggested that the state administration could have mitigated the resulting electrocution deaths and waterlogging in Kolkata after the sudden rain, had they heeded the Meteorological Department's warnings about anticipated heavy rainfall.

The downpour led to disruptions in train and Metro services, while traffic in Kolkata came to a standstill due to widespread waterlogging. Electricity and Internet services were also affected in many areas of Kolkata and its suburbs. Several Durga Puja mandaps sustained damage from the heavy rains, posing significant challenges for organizers. Many homes and residential complexes were inundated as streets remained submerged into Tuesday evening.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore reported that Kolkata has not experienced such intense rainfall in such a short time span of six hours in nearly four decades.

The met department indicated that between September 1 and September 22, Kolkata received 178.9 millimeters of rainfall, falling short by 35.7 millimeters during this period. The average rainfall in Kolkata over a 24-hour period is typically 247.4 millimeters, with most of it occurring in just six hours overnight.

In some areas, rainfall exceeded 300 mm.

Historically, September 1978 and 1986 saw 251 mm of rain in Kolkata. This event marks the sixth-highest rainfall recorded in the city's history. Meteorologists noted that had there been an additional 2 mm of rain in an hour, it could have been classified as a cloudburst.

In response to the extensive waterlogging, the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation has announced the suspension of all street lighting in the alleys of Salt Lake to prevent accidents until the water recedes.

Due to the flooding, many court workers and lawyers were unable to reach the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, resulting in minimal hearings throughout the day.

The court convened at 10:30 a.m., but most staff and employees were absent, leading to a lack of hearings. The acting Chief Justice, Soumen Sen, did hear a few cases; however, few lawyers were present. The lawyers' associations formally requested the Chief Justice to postpone hearings due to the heavy rain, advocating for cases to be heard only when all lawyers are present. The judges agreed to this proposal.

Additionally, more than 60 flights were canceled, and 42 others delayed at the city airport following the overnight downpour. Airport authorities reported that 30 arrival flights and 32 departure flights were canceled, while 11 arrival flights and 31 departure flights faced delays.

In light of the waterlogging in Kolkata, all political parties canceled their scheduled events for Tuesday. The ruling Trinamool Congress also suspended its programs for the day. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared she would delay inaugurating Durga Puja mandaps until Wednesday, contingent on weather conditions improving.

The Met office has predicted further rain in the coming days, as a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several districts in southern Bengal and Kolkata.

According to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, rainfall was particularly intense in the southern and eastern areas of the city, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm in just a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park with 285 mm. Other areas such as Kalighat, Topsia, and Ballygunge recorded significant amounts of rainfall as well.

Tragically, electrocution-related deaths were reported from eight locations in the city, including Netaji Nagar, Ekbalpur, Haridevpur, Behala, Kalikapur, Minto Park, Ballygunge Place in south Kolkata, and Beniapukur in north Kolkata. Additionally, one death each was recorded in South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts. CESC has cut electricity supply in numerous areas to prevent more electrocution incidents.

According to Kolkata Traffic Police, roads that previously never accumulated water are now submerged. Efforts are underway to drain water from these locations, but prolonged rains have delayed the process. Several medical colleges and hospitals have also been affected by flooding, including the road in front of SSKM Hospital. However, authorities assert that medical services continue to operate.

Water has also accumulated on tracks at locations along the Sealdah Main Section of Eastern Railway, causing delays and cancellations of several trains. Service disruptions have also been noted in the Sealdah South section and the city’s Metro service.