• Source:JND
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Kolkata Weather: Kolkata woke to waterlogged streets under a gloomy, overcast sky after relentless overnight rain left many parts of the city flooded on Tuesday morning. Five people have died in the city due to the heavy downpour. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across the city and much of South Bengal through the week, issuing multiple alerts. 

A 60-year-old man, Jitendra Singh, was electrocuted around 5:15 am today at Hossain Shah Road amid heavy waterlogging. He was rushed to SSKM Hospital, where he was declared brought dead

Heavy downpours, lasting nearly seven hours from Monday night into Tuesday morning, swamped large areas of Kolkata, according to police and local officials.

The IMD forecasts cloudy skies across South Bengal on Tuesday, with rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds expected in nearly every district. An orange alert is in place for South 24 Parganas, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely. Kolkata and nearby areas may see similar showers around September 25, putting Durga Puja organizers on high alert as they prepare for the festivities.

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A yellow alert has been issued over seven other districts East and West Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, East Burdwan, Howrah, and Hooghly with heavy showers and wind speeds of 40-50 kmph expected in South 24 Parganas and East Medinipur, and 30-40 kmph elsewhere. Meanwhile, North Bengal will see a gradual decrease in rainfall.

Districts like Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur are under a yellow alert for Tuesday due to expected thundershowers and gusty winds, but from Wednesday, only light to moderate rain with lightning is forecast, with no further warnings.

Kolkata Weather Update: Key Kolkata Roads to Avoid Traffic

Commuters should steer clear of these flood-prone areas where traffic jams are common during heavy rain:

- AJC Bose Road

- APC Roy Road

- Maa Flyover (west-bound)

- EM Bypass (including Ruby Crossing)

- Park Circus Connector

- Sarat Bose Road (north-bound)

- Amir Ali Avenue: Disruptions in both directions 

- CR Avenue, Chittaranjan Avenue, MG Road, BB Ganguly Street, Park Street

To avoid delays, commuters are advised to find alternate routes during peak rain hours until conditions improve.

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Kolkata Metro, train services affected

Train and Metro Railway services were disrupted in the city and suburbs owing to waterlogging of tracks, officials said. Water entered many houses and residential complexes in the city as roads went underwater following the rain that started past midnight.

Significant waterlogging was reported in the mid-section of the Blue Line (Dakshineswar–Shahid Khudiram), particularly between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations, prompting the immediate suspension of services on this stretch.

Owing to waterlogging of tracks, train movement in the Sealdah south section has been suspended, while skeleton services are being run in the Sealdah north and main sections, an Eastern Railway official said.
Train services have been partially affected to and from Howrah and Kolkata terminal stations of Eastern Railway as tracks got waterlogged owing to heavy downpour, he said.

Train movement in the Circular Railway line has also been suspended due to waterlogging at Chitpur yard, he added.

Many schools have declared a holiday in the wake of very heavy downpour and waterlogged streets.

(WITH PTI INPUTS)