Kolkata: Floods trigger fatal electrocutions
After heavy overnight rainfall left Kolkata and its suburbs inundated on Tuesday, at least 11 people lost their lives, nine of them due to electrocution. The city recorded 251 mm of rainfall in just a few hours, the heaviest in nearly four decades, overwhelming drainage systems and causing widespread flooding.
Amid rising public anger and Opposition demands for a probe into the deaths, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced an immediate relief package. Families of those killed due to electrocution will receive Rs 2 lakh compensation each, along with government jobs for one member of the family.
Opposition demands accountability
The deaths sparked sharp political reactions, with Opposition leaders accusing the state government and civic authorities of negligence. They demanded an investigation into how exposed electrical wires and poorly managed infrastructure led to such a high toll.
Critics argued that warnings were inadequate, and preventive measures were missing despite forecasts of heavy rainfall. The issue is expected to dominate political debates in the coming days, with the civic administration under pressure to ensure stricter safety protocols during future monsoon events.
Worst flooding in decades
The deluge caused widespread disruption across Kolkata. Several neighbourhoods remained submerged for hours, with homes, shops, and roads damaged extensively. In areas such as College Street, floodwaters destroyed books worth crores of rupees, leaving traders devastated just ahead of the Durga Puja season.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim acknowledged the scale of the disaster and said it would take time for floodwaters to fully recede. Civic authorities also warned residents to remain cautious, as electrocution risks persist in waterlogged areas.
Relief and recovery efforts
State disaster teams, municipal workers, and power department officials have been deployed to restore normalcy. The government’s immediate compensation announcement is aimed at providing some relief to bereaved families, while longer-term measures to improve drainage and electrical safety remain under discussion.
As Kolkata begins recovery from the heaviest rains in decades, residents and experts alike stress the urgent need for stronger infrastructure, safety measures, and preparedness against extreme weather events.