Eastern and central India remain on high alert as a strengthening low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal continues to trigger extreme weather, causing severe flooding and disruption. While new warnings have been issued for various states, the crisis is most severe in Kolkata, which is still dealing with the aftermath of its biggest rainfall in almost 40 years.
What is the Current Situation in Kolkata?
Kolkata is facing a severe crisis after experiencing its worst single-spell rainfall since 1986. Catastrophic flooding resulted from more than 250 mm of rain falling in less than 24 hours on September 23–24. The city was paralyzed by the flood, which led to:
Fatalities: At least 12 people have died, with several deaths caused by electrocution in floodwaters.
Paralysis: Train services were hampered and traffic was stopped by widespread flooding.
Infrastructure Failure: One of the main things that made things worse, according to the Chief Minister, was the massive waste dumping that clogged the drainage system.The city continues to face a high risk of waterlogging today with a 75% chance of heavy thunderstorms.
Which Other Regions are on Alert?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued significant alerts for the period of September 26-30. The regions expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall include:
Maharashtra and Goa: Konkan, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra are forecast to receive isolated extremely heavy rainfall.
Odisha: The state is likely to experience heavy rain on September 26 and 27.
Telangana and Coastal Andhra Pradesh: An orange alert is in place for 15 districts in Telangana.
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh: Isolated heavy rainfall is expected.
Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the north and central Bay of Bengal due to the dangerous weather conditions.
What is the Outlook for Other Major Cities?
While the east coast braces for more rain, other major cities are experiencing a temporary respite.
New Delhi: The forecast for today is sunny, with no precipitation expected. The maximum temperature is predicted to be around 36°C. The Yamuna River, which recently caused flooding, is receding. Monsoon withdrawal from this region is underway.
Bengaluru: The day is expected to be cloudy with a 20% chance of rain. The minimum and maximum temperatures will range from 21°C to 26°C. After heavy showers earlier this week, the city has been experiencing milder weather.
Hyderabad and Pune: With a 75% possibility of severe thunderstorms in Hyderabad and a 75% chance of waterlogging and traffic disruption in Pune through September 30, both cities are under heavy rainfall alerts.
Rescue and relief efforts are prioritized in the most impacted districts, and the situation remains precarious as additional rain is predicted in the coming days.
