MeT predicts heavy downpour in state in next 48 hours

The Alipore Meteorological office has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city and its suburbs in the next 48 hours.

GC Debnath, head of Alipore weather office said the depression might turn into “deep depression” causing moderate to heavy rainfall in the city and South Bengal districts in the next 48 hours.

The fishermen in the coastal areas of Digha and Shankarpur have been instructed not to go to the deep sea.

A fishing trawler is reported to be missing at a distance 130 km away from Bakkhali and coastal guards have been contacted to trace the trawler.

Several rivers in some South Bengal districts particularly in Burdwan are swirling and the district administration is keeping an eye on the situation. The city woke up to an overcast sky and experienced intermittent rainfall throughout the day.

On Monday South Kolkata received above 100 mm rainfall in 45 minutes and several important thoroughfares got inundated.

Long queues of cars were seeing standing bumper to bumper. However, the accumulated water got cleared by midnight on Monday. Tarak Singh, member, Mayor in council in charge of drainage on Tuesday held a high level meeting with senior officials of the department to find out ways and means to combat emergency situation. 

Senior civic officials said: “If there is heavy downpour, it is not possible to stem waterlogging. Cities in the West like New York and London are often flooded following heavy rainfall. But in Kolkata every step has been taken to ensure so that the accumulated water recedes early,” they said adding “Even after Monday’s heavy shower, water receded from most of the streets by late evening.”

The officials maintained that the pumps were all functioning and the reserve pumps were given a trial run.

The underground sewer lines have been strengthened and de-silted and their water carrying capacity have increased.

As there is monitoring throughout the year, the KMC was in a position to face any situation, they maintained.