Kolkata, Aug 8 (IANS) It's the same old story of rain, waterlogged streets and traffic snarls, as life was thrown out of gear in the city following heavy monsoon showers on Monday evening.
The off-and-on drizzle witnessed in the city since Monday morning increased its ferocity after 5 p.m., and lashed the eastern metropolis, felling trees and branches which blocked important throughfares.
Commuters, including people returning from offices, faced the brunt of the rains as many of the areas in the south and central Kolkata went under ankle-deep to waist-high water.
A tram stood still in the Ballygugne area as the tracks were submerged under water. Buses, mini buses, taxis could not move or crawled at a snail's pace.
The important Short Street close to the landmark St. Xavier's College was blocked after a tree was uprooted.
In South Kolkata, Jodhur Park recorded 104 mm rains, while the figure registered in the Chetla area was 90 mm.
"We have received reports of areas like Southern Avenue, Ballygunge and Theatre Road going under water," said Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor-in-Council member Tarak Singh.
All KMC council members have rushed to the headquarters and were monitoring the situation.
"All KMC pumps are being operated. In some areas, branches of trees fell causing obstructions," said an official manning the KMC control room.
However, the city police said there were no reports of any injuries.
The Met department said the rains were caused by a depression forming over the Bay of Bengal. The inclement weather would continue for the next 24 hours.
