Kolkata: Record rainfall devastates city
Kolkata witnessed its heaviest spell of rain in nearly four decades earlier this week, receiving 251.4 mm between late Monday and early Tuesday. The unprecedented downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded major neighbourhoods, and claimed at least 11 lives in rain-related incidents.
The deluge damaged homes, shops, and roads across the city. Among the worst affected was the iconic College Street book market, where floodwaters destroyed stock worth several crores of rupees.
Crores worth of books destroyed
Publishers and traders at College Street estimated combined losses of Rs 2–3 crore. Many bookshops were inundated, with stocks of rare and new editions alike completely soaked. Several establishments reported that their entire inventory had been rendered unsellable.
Tridib Chattopadhyay, secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, revealed that his own store, Patra Bharati, had suffered losses of Rs 10–12 lakh. “There was no warning that the weather would turn this bad. Books were kept on the floor, and they all got soaked,” he said.
Sudipta Dey of Deys’ Publishing also reported losses of around Rs 8 lakh, with more than 500 books destroyed. “Such extensive destruction was never witnessed before, and the final figures are still being calculated,” he remarked.
Unorganised vendors hit hardest
While established bookshops struggled with massive damages, the unorganised street-based booksellers of College Street were left in a more precarious situation. These vendors, who sell books on footpaths, operate without formal recognition and are therefore not eligible for compensation. Many have lost their entire livelihood overnight.
“This is a huge loss right before Durga Puja,” Chattopadhyay observed, pointing out that the festive season is a critical sales period for booksellers. He added, “The most concerning part is, the unorganised booksellers on footpaths are worst hit and subject to no compensation since they do not operate under an umbrella organisation.”
Wider impact on the city
Beyond the literary hub, other areas of Kolkata also reeled from the impact of the record rainfall. Mayor Firhad Hakim said it would take considerable time for floodwaters to recede. Reports of electrocution-related fatalities in flooded neighbourhoods further heightened public concern.
Residents recalled not witnessing such intense rainfall since Cyclone Amphan in May 2020. For many, the scale of this week’s disaster was a stark reminder of the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
A blow to Kolkata’s literary culture
College Street, often called the intellectual heart of Kolkata, holds immense cultural significance. The losses to its bookshops and stalls represent more than financial damage; they strike at the very identity of the city as a hub of literature and learning.
With Durga Puja around the corner, booksellers are now scrambling to salvage what remains, while also appealing for support. As Kolkata’s literary community rallies together, the challenge lies not only in recovering financial losses but also in preserving the cultural spirit of College Street.