Bengal Braces for Torrential Rains, Emergency Measures Activated
Mamata Banerjee ramps up response as heavy rains loom.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounding alarms over a brewing low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal set to unleash heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 1, the West Bengal government has swung into high gear, rolling out emergency measures to shield the state from potential chaos. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stung by the recent loss of 12 lives to torrential rains and electrocution in Kolkata and nearby areas, is personally steering the response, with a senior official confirming to PTI on Sunday, September 28, 2025, that all relevant departments are on red alert.
“We’ve initiated comprehensive emergency protocols. The CM is monitoring round-the-clock,” the official said, underscoring the state’s resolve to avert a repeat of last week’s deadly deluge. A dedicated control room, staffed by a senior IAS officer, will operate 24/7 throughout the festive season—covering September 26 to October 7, October 20-24, and October 27-28—to coordinate relief and monitor flood risks. The IMD’s bulletin warns of squally winds clocking 35-45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, and rough seas along the West Bengal-Odisha coasts from October 2-4, urging fishermen to steer clear of the north and central Bay of Bengal.
The forecast paints a grim picture: Isolated downpours could swamp low-lying areas, disrupt Durga Puja preparations, and strain Kolkata’s creaky drainage systems, still reeling from recent flooding. Social media on X buzzed with anxious chatter, with users sharing clips of past inundations and pleading for better civic prep, one posting, “Kolkata can’t drown again—fix the drains!” The state’s proactive stance—bolstered by rapid-response teams and stockpiled relief—aims to blunt the storm’s edge, but with memories of last week’s tragedy fresh, Bengal holds its breath as the skies darken.
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