Over 40 dead in Bengal floods; water, power shortage in Kolkata

August 01, 2015 14:02

Floods in West Bengal have claimed over 40, with water levels rising arlamingly in East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, Birbhum and Burdwan districts.

The heavy rains have been brought about by Cyclone Komen, which though has weakened into a depression after making landfall in Bangladesh still sustains strength to bring torrential rain over several parts of West Bengal.

Reports of power outage and shortage of potable water are coming in from parts of Kolkata after heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours led to massive waterlogging.

Indian Meteorological Department has predicted a stormy weather for the next 24 hours, advising people to maintain caution.

"Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places would occur over the Gangetic West Bengal and North Odisha during next 24 hours and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall thereafter. Sea condition would remian rough. Fishermen are advised not to venture along the coast," said a statement released by by IMD.

According to private weather forecaster Skymet, the weather system is moving in a west/northwest direction and is likely to weaken further into a well-marked low pressure area within next 24 hours.

In view of the storm, heavy to extremely heavy rains are expected to lash coastal and southern parts of West Bengal. Heavy rains are likely over Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha as well.

During last 24 hours, flood fury was witnessed in several districts of West Bengal including Hoogly, Midnapore, Burdwan, Asansol, Bankura and 24 Parganas. Kolkata received 133.6 mm of rain in the last 24 hours followed by Midnapore 89 mm, Bankura 57 mm and Asansol 62 mm.

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