KOLKATA|September 24,2025|SKY LINK TIMES|
KMC on High Alert for Panchami Showers, As Durga Puja approaches, anxiety is mounting among residents of Kolkata with the Meteorological Department predicting thunderstorms and heavy rain on Panchami (Saturday, Sept 27, 2025). Just days after Tuesday’s downpour that left large parts of the city waterlogged and powerless, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is racing to ensure that the same chaos is not repeated during Bengal’s biggest festival.
Tuesday’s “Mangal Disaster” Still Fresh, KMC on High Alert for Panchami Showers
The memory of Tuesday’s rainfall—dubbed the “Mangal disaster” by many city dwellers—still lingers. Continuous showers from Monday night left several areas submerged under knee-deep water. Power outages added to the misery, disrupting offices, transport, and daily life. “It was a nightmare ahead of Puja,” said an office commuter from Behala.
The panic caused by the incident has amplified concerns over how the city will cope if rain lashes again during the Puja rush, when lakhs of pandal-hoppers are expected on the streets.
KMC’s Emergency Preparations
Responding to the crisis, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has instructed civic officials to remain on high alert throughout the festive period. Mayor-in-Council (Sewerage) Tarak Singh has held multiple meetings with engineers and sewage department staff to review waterlogging hotspots and drainage preparedness.
According to KMC sources:
🔸Extra pumps are being deployed in low-lying areas such as Kidderpore, Behala, Ultadanga, and Topsia.
🔸Emergency teams will be stationed near major Puja pandals for rapid response.
🔸Coordination with the CESC (Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation) has been strengthened to avoid prolonged power cuts during heavy rain.
High Stakes During Durga Puja
Durga Puja is not just a festival but the lifeline of Kolkata’s cultural and economic calendar. Lakhs of visitors, including tourists from other states and abroad, are expected to throng pandals. A single spell of waterlogging could trigger traffic collapse, safety risks, and economic losses for local businesses.
Meteorologists have warned of moderate to heavy rainfall on both Panchami and Sasthi, making preparedness all the more urgent.
Residents Remain Cautious
Despite KMC’s assurances, residents remain wary. “We hear promises every year, but one heavy shower is enough to drown half the city,” said a Salt Lake resident. Civic experts point out that long-term solutions—like upgrading the city’s aging drainage system—are still pending.
For now, Kolkata waits anxiously to see whether its civic body can keep the city dry and safe during the most important week of the year.
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