Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Thunderstorm Deluge Cripples Calcutta Traffic as Monsoon Retreat Resumes
A strong storm passed over Calcutta in the evening.
It brought wind, lightning and heavy rain to many parts of the city.
The rain made it hard for traffic to move.
Alipore recorded 2.6mm of rain by 8.30pm, but other places got more.
Weather systems are bringing moisture into south Bengal, and heat is helping storms form.
The monsoon is also beginning to move away again after its retreat had stalled.
Forecasters expect the rain to ease from Saturday.
They have issued no rain warning for October 10 to 13.
A powerful evening thunderstorm brought gusty winds, lightning and heavy showers to Calcutta.
Blinding rain disrupted traffic in several areas, though Alipore recorded 2.6mm by 8.30pm.
The Met office said monsoon withdrawal resumed on Thursday after stalling amid weather systems.
An upper-air circulation over northeast Bihar and a trough across several states are feeding moisture into south Bengal.
Rain is expected to ease from Saturday, with no rain warning issued for October 10 to 13.
- Who
- Calcutta residents and commuters were affected; the Met office reported the weather and monsoon outlook.
- What
- A powerful thunderstorm brought gusty winds, lightning and rain that disrupted traffic.
- When
- Thursday evening, on the usual October 8 date for monsoon withdrawal from south Bengal.
- Where
- Calcutta and south Bengal.
- Why
- Weather systems are feeding moisture into south Bengal, which, together with heat, is causing thunderstorms.
Observed conditions
Forecast outlook
Rainfall and its effects
Observed conditions
Heavy showers in several areas caused blinding conditions and crippled traffic.
Forecast outlook
The Met office recorded only 2.6mm at Alipore by 8.30pm, while noting that other parts of the city received significantly more.
Monsoon withdrawal
Observed conditions
Withdrawal had stalled after reaching the heartland, including Jharkhand, because of multiple weather systems.
Forecast outlook
The Met office said withdrawal resumed Thursday and conditions were becoming favourable for further retreat over the next three to four days.
- Rainfall at Alipore
- 2.6mm recorded up to 8.30pm
- Monsoon status
- Withdrawal resumed on Thursday after stagnating amid weather systems
- Usual withdrawal date
- October 8 for south Bengal
- Weather system
- An upper-air cyclonic circulation over northeast Bihar and a trough extending to Telangana
- Expected rain trend
- Rain is expected to subside from Saturday
- Rain warning
- None issued for October 10 to 13