Kolkata: With the Met department forecasting rain over the next three days, Durga Puja organisers across Kolkata are taking precautions to protect pandals, materials and ongoing preparations, with several committees covering or securing structures and others shifting installation work indoors until the weather improves.The preparations come around three weeks ahead of the festival, but organisers are wary of the impact of rain at a stage when pandals are taking shape and props and installations are being prepared.For the organisers, the immediate concern is to prevent damage to work that has already been completed while ensuring that the weather does not significantly slow down preparations. With the pandals and installations expected to take shape rapidly over the coming weeks, the committees are keeping a close watch on the forecast and adjusting outdoor work accordingly.Several Puja committees, including Maddox Square, Hatibagan Sarbojanin, Md Ali Park, Kumartuli Sarbojanin, Chorebagan, Chetla Agrani and Thakurpukur SB Park, have taken measures to protect their pandals and materials from the weather. While some have covered the structures, others have secured them against strong winds, with installation work being moved indoors where possible.At United Club in Baguiati, organisers have covered the entire pandal, which is almost complete, with protective layering and secured it so that it is not blown away by heavy wind. Work on the portion outside the pandal has also been kept on hold. “We are a little concerned about the weather forecast. Our pandal work is almost complete, so we are doing everything to protect it,” said Gourab Biswas, secretary of United Club.At Adibashi Brinda on Kanai Dhar Lane in Amherst Street, the organisers have cleared drainage outlets along the roads and moved materials indoors to protect them from rain. “Last year, heavy rain inundated the entire pandal and damaged props. Our entire puja plans turned upside down. This time we are trying to avoid such a situation,” said Somnath Biswas, general secretary.The forecast has also prompted organisers to factor in the possibility of losing a few days of preparation. At Ballygunge Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity, installation work has not yet begun, as preparations started late this year. The organisers said they would monitor the weather before deciding whether to pause work. “Our park doesn’t get flooded, but we cannot predict how much it will rain. If there is any weather-related disruption, we might have to pause the preparations for two to three days,” said Abhishek De Biswas of Ballygunge Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity.At Kumartuli Park Sarbojanin Durgaotsab Committee, where even a brief spell of rain can inundate portions of the ground, organisers have kept wooden planks ready. “Certain portions of the park have been covered so that materials are kept safely from the rain,” said Debasish Dutta, a committee member.
