Big tree falls at CR Avenue blocking traffic, roads waterlogged after heavy rain

A sudden and intense spell of torrential rain accompanied by gusty winds lashed Kolkata on Sunday afternoon, bringing immediate relief from the stifling summer heat but throwing normal life into complete disarray. The abrupt change in weather caused significant waterlogging across several low-lying areas, with prominent sectors from Newtown to Salt Lake witnessing ankle-deep to knee-deep water accumulation within a short span. The heavy downpour severely impacted traffic movement across the city's main arterial networks.

The high-velocity winds, blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour, caused structural damage and uprooted mature trees in multiple neighborhoods. A major traffic bottleneck occurred at the busy CR Avenue, where a massive fallen tree completely blocked the thoroughfare, halting vehicular movement. Emergency response teams, alongside Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) workers, arrived promptly at the spot and deployed specialized equipment to cut through the trunk and clear the debris for structural safety.

The atmospheric disruption heavily collided with the conclusion of the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations, which were being observed with grand pomp at Red Road under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the 40-minute storm hit right during the dispersal, thousands of participants and common commuters found themselves stranded, struggling to find transport or reach their destinations amidst blinding rain and frequent lightning strikes.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, a yellow alert remains active across five districts of South Bengal, including Birbhum, East Burdwan, Bankura, Hooghly, and Nadia, due to persistent convective cloud formations. While the sudden precipitation has successfully brought down the mercury level, meteorologists warn that this comfort will be short-lived. Once the rain completely subsides, an influx of residual environmental moisture is expected to spike humidity levels, plunging Kolkata back into extreme, sticky discomfort.