Kolkata civic body on alert as low-pressure system builds over Bay of Bengal

Kolkata Municipal Corporation KMC has activated early preparedness measures following a fresh warning from the India Meteorological Department IMD about a developing lowpressure system over the Bay of Bengal which is likely to intensify by Nabami Wednesday night a senior official saidThe official said the civic body has deployed a large number of field workers across Kolkata to monitor and manage waterlogging taking lessons from last weeks heavy rainfall that caused severe waterlogging in several parts of the cityLast weeks heavy downpour inundated the city causing widespread inconvenience to residents This time we are well prepared and have taken all possible measures to prevent waterlogging mayor Firhad Hakim told PTIWe have deployed 176 field workers across the citys streets to monitor and manage waterlogging These workers will be tasked with opening and clearing manholes and stormwater drains during rainfall he addedThe IMD has forecast increased rainfall and gusty winds across Kolkata and southern Bengal coinciding with the final days of the Durga Puja festivalA special task force of 20 workers will be on standby for two critical underpasses in the city Kankurgachi and Ultadanga to prevent water accumulation another KMC official told PTIThe senior official emphasised that excess rainfall particularly during high tide when lock gates are closed will inevitably lead to waterloggingOur primary focus is to ensure that water is drained as quickly as possible to minimise disruptions he saidTalking further about their preparedness to counter any possible floodlike situation in the city Hakim said the citys 86 pumping stations will remain operationalIn addition 406 temporary pumps have been deployed in waterloggingprone areas to expedite drainage the mayor saidAn official of KMCs drainage department said the system can handle rainfall of up to 2022 mm per hourHowever any rainfall exceeding this threshold will lead to water accumulation We are monitoring the situation closely learning from past incidents and adjusting our response accordingly he told PTIThe official noted that the recent downpour had posed significant challenges but the municipal team is now strategising to better manage similar conditions in the futureThe IMD in a statement said under the influence of the cyclonic circulation over East Central Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood a low pressure area has formed over West Central Bay of BengalIt is likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a depression over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by October 2 morning and cross south OdishaNorth Andhra Pradesh coasts around October 3 morning it addedUnder its influence thunderstorms with light to moderate rainfall are likely to occur over West Bengal on September 30 and October 1 the IMD saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever