Kolkata hit by waterlogging as heavy rains lash city and surrounds
Torrential rains driven by a low-pressure system caused widespread waterlogging in Kolkata and nearby areas on August 17, 2026. Officials reported knee-deep water on major roads and highlighted rainfall totals in several districts.
Key takeaways
- A low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression and contributed to heavy rainfall in Kolkata and nearby districts.
- Haldia reported 134 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours up to 8:30 a.m. on August 17, while Digha and Diamond Harbour recorded 113 mm and 112 mm respectively.
- Major roads in Kolkata experienced knee-deep water and significant traffic snarls during the morning hours.
What Happened
On August 17, 2026, Kolkata and surrounding areas experienced widespread waterlogging amid heavy to very heavy rainfall linked to a well-marked low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, which rapidly intensified into a depression. The system was centered near Kolkata around 8:30 a.m., with forecasts indicating movement toward Jharkhand and Bihar within the next 24 hours.
Several thoroughfares in Kolkata, including Salt Lake and Howrah, saw water accumulation that impeded traffic. Reports described knee-deep water on multiple major roads, contributing to significant congestion during office hours.
Why It Matters
The downpour disrupted everyday life in a major urban center, affecting commuters and potentially impacting local services. Weather updates from the regional meteorological authority and the IMD noted that the situation involved extreme rainfall across multiple districts, signaling a broader pattern of intense precipitation tied to the weather system in the region.
Background
Authorities attributed the heavy rainfall to a well-marked low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal that intensified into a depression. The system’s proximity to the coast around the morning hours influenced rainfall distribution across the state, with coastal and adjacent inland areas facing the highest totals.
Key Facts
- Area affected: Kolkata and its adjoining Salt Lake and Howrah regions.
- Time reference: rainfall and waterlogging reported on Monday, August 17, 2026; system centered near Kolkata around 8:30 a.m.
- Rainfall totals (24 hours to 8:30 a.m. on August 17): Haldia 134 mm; Digha 113 mm; Diamond Harbour 112 mm.
- System described as a well-marked low-pressure system over the Northwest Bay of Bengal that intensified into a depression.
- Official forecast: extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura; very heavy rainfall in Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman.
- Consequences observed: waterlogging on major roads and traffic snarls during peak hours.
What Happens Next
Forecasts indicate continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts as the system moves inland over the next 24 hours. Authorities were monitoring the situation and issuing regional advisories for affected areas, with preparations noted for potential further weather-related disruptions.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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