Incessant rain triggered by a deep depression disrupted normal life in Kolkata and adjoining areas on Monday, with widespread waterlogging causing severe traffic snarls during office hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the depression over coastal West Bengal and the north-west Bay of Bengal is likely to move towards Jharkhand across Gangetic West Bengal by Tuesday.
Haldia in Purba Medinipur recorded the highest rainfall, receiving 134 mm in the 24 hours until 8.30 am on Monday. Digha recorded 113 mm, while Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas received 112 mm during the same period.
Heavy rain since Sunday night left several roads in Kolkata, Salt Lake and Howrah waterlogged. Schoolchildren and office-goers struggled to commute amid reduced public transport and traffic congestion on the first working day of the week.
The IMD forecast extremely heavy rainfall in Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram and Bankura on Monday. Very heavy rain is also expected in Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman.
(With inputs from PTI)