Saturday, 26 October 2024
Saturday, 26 October 2024
The morning hours of Friday saw Calcutta grappling with widespread waterlogging as cyclone Dana's aftermath hit the city. With over 100 mm of rainfall recorded by 11:30 am, streets from New Market to Behala and beyond were submerged, forcing residents to stay indoors.
In central Calcutta, knee-deep water turned once-bustling roads into slow-moving rivers. Key thoroughfares in Bhawanipur, Hazra, Dharmatala, and the northern VIP Road were all affected.
Other areas, like Thanthania Kalibari and Mahatma Gandhi Road, faced significant water buildup, leaving both residents and commuters stranded. North and east Calcutta weren't spared either, with New Town and Dum Dum joining the growing list of waterlogged neighborhoods.
As rain continued to pour, the situation inside Calcutta’s healthcare facilities took a grim turn. SSKM Hospital, the state’s leading referral hospital, was flooded with ankle-deep water, forcing patients, health workers, and visitors alike to wade through murky puddles. The OPD wing at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, another critical healthcare center, also reported significant rainwater accumulation.
In response, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) ramped up water removal efforts. Suction trucks and portable pumps were deployed across neighborhoods, working tirelessly to drain roads and critical areas. Mayor Firhad Hakim said, “the high tide in the Hooghly river and incessant rainfall may slow down drainage efforts.”
On what was otherwise a regular working day, the streets of Clauctta told a different story. People chose to stay indoors as authorities forecasted more heavy showers. Calcutta's southern part appeared deserted, with only essential personnel braving the flooded streets.
The impact of Cyclone Dana wasn't limited to Calcutta alone. Parts of southern Bengal saw a similar deluge. Diamond Harbour and Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas registered 93 mm and 89.6 mm rainfall, respectively, by 8:30 am.
