At least 12 people have died in heavy rains and flooding in the city of Kolkata and surrounding areas, Reuters reported, citing Indian officials.
These people died mainly due to submerged roads, disruption of transportation, and prolonged entrapment in floods, most of which occurred due to electrocution and drowning.
According to reports, the rainfall, which reached 251.6 mm in 24 hours, is the heaviest rainfall recorded in Kolkata since 1988 and occurred ahead of the major Durga Puja festival.
The floods have led to waist-deep roads being submerged, flight cancellations, school closures, and disruptions to trains and subways.
Indian Meteorological Department officials have predicted that the rains will continue in the coming days due to the formation of a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal.
Local residents have expressed concern about the critical situation and called for infrastructure improvements.
