Water-logging, poor roads disrupt normal life in Kolkata

Water-logged thoroughfares, huge puddles on streets and massive traffic jams on Thursday caused residents extreme inconvenience as nagging showers disrupted life in the West Bengal capital.

People had to wade through knee-deep water in areas like Baishnabghata and Behala as drainage woes and intermittent showers hindered movement.

While the Met office recorded 44.4 mm of rainfall during the day, it was not officially "heavy".

Though they have forecast "intermittent, light to moderate rainfall" for Friday, there was no relief from the poor road conditions due to the ongoing work for the Metro railway extension.

State Urban Development Department Minister Firhad Hakim said he will request the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority to repair the roads.

"Because of barricading and other construction work, water percolates and damages the inner layers," Hakim said.

However, till then, passage from east Kolkata to the central business district will remain treacherous.

"It is very tricky to drive in these conditions and with the rainfall it is a dangerous affair," said a cab driver.