Today, heavy rainfall in Kolkata and Howrah regions of West Bengal has brought daily life to a standstill. Particularly, there has been severe waterlogging on the main roads of the city. This situation has not only intensified traffic congestion but also caused serious disruptions in both road and rail transportation. The state government has taken swift measures to tackle the situation, but questions remain about how long it will take to resolve this issue.
Torrential rain: Waterlogging in Kolkata and Howrah
Due to the heavy rainfall over the past few days, severe waterlogging has occurred in many areas of Kolkata and Howrah. The main roads of the city, especially Central Avenue, Canal Center, and Shantiniketan Road, have submerged in water. As a result, vehicle movement is disrupted, and the situation worsens during office hours. The accumulation of water on the roads has made it nearly impossible to navigate through the traffic congestion.
In addition, several areas in Howrah, along with Kolkata, are facing the same situation. The rainfall that began last night was so intense that it caused problems for people’s movement in many areas. Especially on the smaller roads, water has accumulated, making it difficult for people to walk.
State Government’s Actions
The state government has taken swift measures to address the situation. Kolkata Metro Rail and the State Transport Corporation have quickly initiated water drainage systems. However, mechanical pumps are being used in certain areas of the city to remove the accumulated water swiftly.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has announced that authorities have taken immediate action in areas where the main roads’ cleaning and drainage systems were critically needed due to waterlogging.
Disruption in Rail Services Due to Rain
In many areas of Kolkata and Howrah, water has accumulated on the railway tracks, causing major disruptions in train services. Although the railway authorities are already investigating the issue and have started working on restoring train services, this situation has created a significant problem for commuters on the roads. Particularly, the movement of several trains on the city’s older tracks has been severely affected.
The State Government’s Plan
The state government has already taken steps to tackle this crisis. Kolkata Metro Rail authorities have stated that they will work to reduce the water levels as quickly as possible. Additionally, a new project has been initiated to improve road connectivity, which will begin in the coming months.
The state government has issued a warning to the public, advising them that more rainfall is expected in the coming days and they must stay alert. Without proper planning, the situation may worsen until substantial water drainage systems and road improvements are implemented.
Reality and Solutions
To prevent disasters like heavy rainfall, it is essential to implement an advanced drainage system in Kolkata city. Various policies and developmental projects should be adopted to avoid such situations in the future. Additionally, more focus should be placed on improving daily road management and water drainage operations throughout the city.
This is undoubtedly a major challenge, but with the state government’s actions and the cooperation of the public, it is expected that this issue can be addressed effectively.
