NEW DELHI: Kolkata came to a near standstill on Tuesday as very heavy overnight rainfall triggered widespread flooding, leaving streets submerged, cars stranded, and Durga Puja pandals inundated. Public transport was severely disrupted, trains and Metro services were suspended, and daily life across the city and its suburbs ground to a halt.Videos circulating online show streets resembling rivers, cars submerged up to their windows, and floodwaters engulfing pandals. Authorities urged residents to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor updates from city officials and airlines, as delays and travel disruptions persist.

At least seven people died due to electrocution in rain-hit areas, officials confirmed. Traffic across Kolkata was paralysed, with key intersections such as Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala, and College Street submerged in knee-to-waist-deep water. Major roads, including EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road, and Central Avenue, experienced long snarls, while smaller lanes in south and central Kolkata became impassable. Commuters reported buses breaking down mid-route, while taxis and app-based cabs either remained off the roads or charged inflated fares.

Train and Metro services were heavily affected. Metro Railway Kolkata suspended operations between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations. “Truncated services are being run between Dakshineswar and Maidan stations,” a spokesperson said, adding that normal services are expected to resume soon. Eastern Railway reported partial suspension in the Sealdah south section, while skeleton services continued in north and main sections. Several long-distance trains, including the Kolkata–Jammu Tawi Express and Kolkata–Amritsar Express, were rescheduled due to waterlogging.The heaviest rainfall was recorded in southern and eastern parts of the city, with Garia Kamdahari receiving 332 mm, followed by Jodhpur Park at 285 mm, Kalighat at 280 mm, Topsia at 275 mm, Ballygunge at 264 mm, and Thantania in north Kolkata at 195 mm, according to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Water also entered numerous residential complexes, adding to the chaos.Schools declared holidays as office-goers struggled to reach workplaces amid disrupted transport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of continued heavy rainfall in south Bengal districts, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, and Bankura, and forecasted a fresh low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal around September 25.