Picture : ANI/X
Torrential overnight rain left Kolkata paralysed y, killing at least seven people due to electrocution and bringing life in the metropolis to a grinding halt as large swathes were submerged, transport services crippled, and traffic movement thrown out of gear.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the downpour as “unprecedented”, lashing out at poor dredging of the Farakka barrage and lapses by private power utility CESC, while appealing to people to stay indoors for their own safety.
“I have never seen rain like this. I feel so bad for the people who have lost their lives in the cloudburst. I heard 7-8 people have died due to electrocution by open or unattended wires. It is so unfortunate Their families must all be given jobs by the CESC. I am saying this clearly. We will also do whatever is possible to help,” Banerjee told a Bengali news channel.
According to media reports, Heavy overnight rains brought Kolkata to its knees on Tuesday as the city was preparing for its biggest festival, Durga Puja, which will begin later this week. Squarely blaming the utility, she said, “Electricity is supplied by CESC, not us. It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer because of this. They will do business here, but not modernise here? They should send people to the field and fix this.”
“Even our houses are submerged; we are all suffering. I am feeling so bad for the Pujo pandals as well. Schools have been asked to declare holidays and office-goers advised to stay home today and tomorrow,” the chief minister said, adding she was in constant touch with the Mayor, Chief Secretary and police.
Operations at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport were significantly affected as bad weather led to the cancellation of 30 flights and delays to 42 others, an airport official told news agency ANI.
Tose who lost their lives were identified as Firoz Ali Khan (50) of Beniapukur, Pranatosh Kundu (62) of Netaji Nagar, and Mumtaz Bibi (70) of Ekbalpur, besides an unidentified person in Gariahat.
