Kolkata: Northern parts of the city recorded heavy downpours ranging between 90 mm and 150 mm, with Belgachhia (150 mm) and Dum Dum (135 mm) bearing the brunt of the rain. In sharp contrast, southern pockets received significantly lighter rainfall ranging between 25 mm and 65 mm, with areas like Kalighat and Ballygunge recording just 25 mm and 30 mm respectively on Monday night.The rain left roads waterlogged outside Kolkata airport’s arrival terminal and several stretches of VIP Road, severely slowing airport-bound traffic. Traffic on VIP Road, moved at a crawl as rainwater accumulated at Haldirams crossing and several other stretches. The congestion spilled over to Chinar Park and Sector V.The monsoon trough at present is passing through the state and there is moisture in abundance. On Monday the maximum temperature surged to 33.2°C, shooting past the normal mark after six days.The downpour caused flooding in places like various pockets in the entire city that include Ultadanga, Dum Dum, Salt Lake, Lake Town, New Town, stretches on College Street, Amherst Street, Alipore etc. “We are not ruling out thunderstorms on Tuesday. Rainfall may get enhanced after the formation of low pressure area by Wednesday,” said HR Biswas, head at the Regional Meteorological Centre Kolkata.Several flights were delayed, with some arrivals and departures operating beyond their scheduled timings.
