Rains lash city; 2 killed after lightning strike in Jhargram

Kolkata: Torrential rains lashed Kolkata and its adjoining districts on Friday afternoon leading to massive traffic congestion in parts of the city as several places went under ankle-deep water. Meanwhile, two persons were killed and 11 injured when struck by lightning at Jhargram in West Midnapore district.

The heavy showers that began in the late afternoon lasted for almost two hours. South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly were the worst affected due to the rain.

The Regional Meteorological Office at Alipore had predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in South Bengal on Saturday. "This is normal monsoon rainfall with a trough developing. We had predicted heavy rainfall both in North Bengal and South Bengal today (Friday). Things will be more or less the same on Saturday," G K Das, director of Alipore MeT office said.

A weather department official said warnings had already been issued to fishermen not to venture into deep sea on Friday and it would be effective for Saturday too.

According to sources in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Behala received the highest cumulative rainfall of 104mm, Port area received 90 mm, Kamdahari in Garia experienced 71.80mm, Ultadanga had 81mm and Palmer Bazar in Entally registered 81 mm rainfall.

Parts of Jadavpur, Tollygunge, Behala, Rashbehari Avenue, Ballygunge, Kasba, Park Circus, some stretches of M G Road, Central Avenue went under ankle-deep water. "We have pressed all our pumping stations into action to drain away the water on a war- footing," Mayor Sovan Chatterjee said.

The administrative officers in various districts have been asked to closely monitor the situation. The state government is also keeping a tab on the release of water by various barrages in the state. The Irrigation department has already cancelled leaves of its employees.