Kolkata waterlogged after overnight rain, traffic disrupted across city
Synopsis
Kolkata woke up to flooded streets on 1 September as overnight rain submerged key roads from Gariahat to Theatre Road. With Salt Lake logging 40.6 mm and a low-pressure system pushing westward, the RMC has warned of intensifying rain on Wednesday — making this more than a one-day disruption for millions of commuters.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata experienced widespread waterlogging on Tuesday, 1 September after heavy overnight rain.
Salt Lake recorded 40.6 mm of rainfall; Alipore logged 23 mm by 8.30 am .
Waterlogging affected key roads including Loudon Street , Theatre Road , Elgin Road , and Taratala , among others.
A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Purulia , Bankura , West Burdwan , and Birbhum .
An active low-pressure area over West Bengal and the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify rainfall on Wednesday .
North Bengal districts including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri may face heavy rain over the next three days .
Several parts of Kolkata were hit by severe waterlogging on Tuesday, 1 September, following incessant overnight rain that disrupted traffic movement and caused widespread inconvenience to office-goers, students, and daily commuters. The flooding was more acute in south Kolkata, where rainfall had been heavier since Monday night.
Areas Hit by Waterlogging
Low-lying localities in south Kolkata bore the brunt, with waterlogging reported in Gariahat, Jadavpur, and Behala. Key roads including Gopal Mukherjee Road, Amir Ali Avenue, Loudon Street, Theatre Road, Rawdon Street, and Elgin Road were inundated. Justice Chandramadhav Road, DH Road, Taratala, and CGR Road also witnessed significant water accumulation.
The down ramp at Hastings was submerged, and similar conditions were reported in Kidderpore. In north Kolkata, stretches between College Street and Thanthania Kalibari were also affected, with rain recorded in Shyambazar and Sinthee.
Rainfall Figures
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Alipore recorded 23 mm of rainfall until 8.30 am on Tuesday. Salt Lake received 40.6 mm during the same period, while Dum Dum also logged significant rainfall. In the broader south Bengal region, Canning in South 24 Parganas recorded 44 mm in the past 24 hours, Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas received 42 mm, Panagarh in West Burdwan received 50 mm, and Digha in East Midnapore recorded 22.9 mm.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The RMC has warned that rainfall could intensify on Wednesday. An active low-pressure area over West Bengal and adjoining north coastal Odisha and the northwest Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwestwards toward north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, keeping rain likely across the region.
A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected to accompany rain in Kolkata and south Bengal districts on Tuesday, with stronger winds of 40 to 50 kmph forecast for the coastal belt stretching from East Midnapore to South 24 Parganas.
Heavy rain is also anticipated in East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, and South 24 Parganas over the next 24 hours. In north Bengal, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar may receive heavy rain over the next three days.
Temperature and Humidity
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 26.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The maximum temperature on Monday stood at 31.06 degrees Celsius, approximately 0.09 degrees below normal. Relative humidity ranged between 78% and 94%, compounding the discomfort for residents navigating flooded streets.
With the low-pressure system continuing to influence the region, authorities and commuters alike are bracing for another difficult day on Wednesday.
Point of View
The city's most vulnerable commuters — daily-wage workers and students — will pay the price of delayed drainage investment. The political accountability for Kolkata's flood-prone streets deserves as much scrutiny as the meteorological forecast.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which areas of Kolkata were waterlogged on 1 September?
Waterlogging was reported across south and north Kolkata, including Gariahat, Jadavpur, Behala, Hastings, and Kidderpore in the south, and stretches between College Street and Thanthania Kalibari in the north. Key roads such as Loudon Street, Theatre Road, Elgin Road, and Taratala were also inundated.
How much rainfall did Kolkata receive overnight?
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Salt Lake recorded 40.6 mm of rainfall by 8.30 am on Tuesday, while Alipore logged 23 mm during the same period. Dum Dum also received significant rainfall.
Will it rain more in Kolkata on Wednesday?
Yes, the RMC has warned that rainfall could intensify on Wednesday. An active low-pressure area over West Bengal and the northwest Bay of Bengal is moving westward, keeping conditions wet across Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas.
Which districts have received a yellow warning for heavy rain?
The RMC has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain in Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum. Heavy rain is also forecast for East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, and South 24 Parganas in the next 24 hours.
What is the weather forecast for north Bengal?
North Bengal districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar are expected to receive heavy rain over the next three days, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.
