Overnight rains and strong winds triggered by a depression off Odisha coast marred Kali Puja and Diwali festivities in Kolkata. The rains continued on Friday and weather office predictions indicated that it would spoil the festivities of Bhaiphonta (Bhai Dooj) on Saturday as well.
In areas such as Dumdum, Kankurgachi, Park Circus, parts of north Kolkata, Central Avenue and A J C Bose Road, part of many roads went under water as rains and gusty winds lashed Kolkata and extensive areas of districts in south Bengal since Thursday evening.
Many parts of Howrah town also went under water.
A number of community Kali Puja pandals in the districts were damaged.
The streets of Kolkata wore a deserted look with very few vehicles and commuters venturing out. The state government opened control rooms at the state secretariat to tackle flood-like situation in the districts.
Parts of Nadia, Howrah, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts also received heavy rainfall. Puja pandals in Barasat in the North 24 Parganas suffered substantial damage.
The sky was overcast since Thursday morning with occasional showers disrupting shopping for Kali Puja which is widely organised in Bengal on or before Diwali. Revellers were especially affected since the rains and wet grounds prevented display of fireworks, an integral part of the festival.
{{/usCountry}}The sky was overcast since Thursday morning with occasional showers disrupting shopping for Kali Puja which is widely organised in Bengal on or before Diwali. Revellers were especially affected since the rains and wet grounds prevented display of fireworks, an integral part of the festival.
{{/usCountry}}Citizens could not recollect recent instances when Kali Puja festivities were marred by rains. Incidentally, this year, a couple of depressions in the Bay of Bengal combined to trigger widespread rains and storm during Durga puja (September 27-30) as well.
Fishermen were asked not to venture out in the seas.