At least two people were killed as Kolkata woke up to an inundated city on Tuesday morning after heavy overnight rainfall flooded streets, railway tracks, and Metro tracks. The downpour, which began late Monday night and continued past midnight, led to severe waterlogging across major arterial roads and residential areas, paralysing normal life.

One person was killed after getting electrocuted early on Tuesday morning, the police said, identifying the deceased as Jitendra Singh, 60. He has been taken to SSKM Hospital and declared as brought dead there, the police added.

In another incident, a cyclist died after coming into contact with a live electric wire on a flooded street in Netaji Nagar.

Key neighbourhoods, including Lake Market, Rashbehari, Thanthania, Patuli, Santoshpur Avenue, Park Circus, Nagerbazar and Bosepukur Talbagan, reported knee-to-waist-deep water. At Thanthania, water levels rose waist-high, while in Bosepukur Talbagan, pandals were submerged after nearly five hours of relentless rainfall.

In some areas, cycle riders and motorists were seen wading through stagnant water.

The transport network was heavily disrupted, with several cars breaking down on waterlogged roads and school pool car services getting cancelled. Many schools advised parents not to send their wards, with teachers calling families early in the morning to confirm closures.

Many offices across Kolkata declared work from home on Tuesday as public transportation came to a halt. Even app-based bike and taxi rides were unavailable due to waterlogging.

“The situation in Kolkata is terrifying right now. With reports of deaths and the risk of electrocution from live wires, people are scared to step outside. I decided to call off work today,” said Dipayan Dutta, a daily commuter.

The downpour has hit Durga Puja preparations, with the relentless rain leading to water entering several major pandals across south and central Kolkata, prompting organisers to scramble to protect structures from further damage.

The impact on railway services was severe. Both Howrah and Sealdah yards and car sheds were submerged, forcing Eastern Railway to suspend several trains. Suburban services were restricted, with Sealdah South and Circular Railway lines completely suspended. The Hazarduari Express and Sealdah-Jangipur Express were among the major cancellations.

Meanwhile, Metro services were suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan due to flooding on tracks near Rabindra Sarobar, with truncated operations running only between Dakshineswar and Maidan. Officials deployed pumps at multiple sites, but inflows from adjacent civic areas slowed the process. “Due to this, some suburban trains have been short-terminated and short-originated this morning. A service plan has been made to suit the emergency,” a railway official said.

Rainfall figures until 5.30 am Tuesday highlighted the scale of the downpour: 332 mm in Kamdahari (Garia), 285 mm in Jodhpur Park, 280 mm in Kalighat, and 275 mm in Topsia Kolkata (Alipore) by 5 am. Even central and northern parts of the city, such as Ultadanga (207 mm) and Thanthania (195 mm), recorded heavy rainfall within hours.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association issued an appeal, saying, “In view of the situation in the city caused by the incessant rains throughout the night and water-logging in several parts of the city and outskirts, it might not be possible for most of the members of our Bar to reach court. The secretaries of the three wings of the Calcutta High Court Bar have requested Lordships to take up only those matters today where all the parties to the proceedings are present. Also requested not to delist any matter or pass any adverse orders in the same.”

(Anisha Ghosh is an intern with The Indian Express)