A relentless spell of heavy rain since early morning has brought Kolkata to a standstill, leaving major roads waterlogged and traffic movement severely disrupted. EM Bypass, Haldiram, and BT Road are among the worst affected, with knee-deep water in several stretches causing massive traffic snarls.

Commuters faced harrowing experiences as buses, cars, and even ambulances crawled through stagnant water. In some areas, vehicles broke down, adding to the chaos. Office-goers reported being stuck for hours, while schools in several localities declared early dismissals to avoid further inconvenience.

The Eastern Metropolitan (EM) Bypass, a crucial artery connecting south and north Kolkata, resembled a river during peak hours. The Haldiram crossing and nearby stretches saw vehicles stranded and traffic diverted through narrow lanes, which themselves were choked. BT Road, another major lifeline in North Kolkata, experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic with several pockets fully submerged.

Despite the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s assurances of pre-monsoon drain cleaning, the drainage system failed to withstand the downpour. Water levels rose quickly due to clogged drains and poor runoff systems, sparking anger and frustration among residents.

“The same story every year—one heavy rain and the city collapses. It’s shameful,” said a commuter stuck near Lake Town for over an hour.

Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel as rain is likely to continue, according to the IMD. Police and civic teams have been deployed across key intersections to manage traffic and pump out accumulated water, but with limited success so far.

The situation remains grim, and citizens are demanding urgent and long-term measures to tackle Kolkata’s chronic waterlogging problem.