By Education And Careers Desk,News18,Sukanya Nandy

Copyright news18

Kolkata and its surrounding areas experienced very heavy overnight rain, causing widespread flooding on Tuesday. The heavy rain brought normal life to a near standstill, disrupting traffic, public transport, and daily activities in Kolkata and nearby regions. (Image: Representational image/ PTI)
Due to severe disruption caused by unprecedented overnight rainfall in Kolkata and other south Bengal districts, the West Bengal government has announced early Puja holidays for state-run educational institutions. The holidays were declared two days ahead of schedule. (Image: PTI)
On Tuesday, acting on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s advice to avoid waterlogged roads to prevent electrocution accidents and her instructions for schools to close or switch to online classes, state education minister Bratya Basu announced that all government-run educational institutions would be closed on September 24 and 25. (Representational image/ PTI)
“An unprecedented disaster situation has arisen in the state. Following the advice of the Honorable Chief Minister, to provide relief to students and protect them from accidents during this disaster, it has been decided to keep all schools and higher education institutions in the state closed tomorrow and the day after, i.e., 24 and 25 September,” Basu wrote on X, roughly translated from Bengali. (Image: PTI)
“During this disaster period, all teachers and education staff associated with education are requested to carry out essential tasks from home. Since the official Puja holidays begin on 26 September, the Durga Puja holidays will effectively start from tomorrow. I extend my best wishes and congratulations to everyone for the upcoming Sharadiya festival. My deep and heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the fellow citizens who lost their lives in this disaster,” Basu posted on X, roughly translated from Bengali. (Image: PTI)
At least seven people died due to electrocution in the city. Some parts of the city received over 330 mm of rain within a few hours, with most areas averaging more than 250 mm of precipitation. Kolkata Mayor and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim told news agency PTI, “So far, we have received information of four deaths due to electrocution in different places in the city.” (Image: PTI)
The city is bracing for more downpour as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal is likely to bring heavy rain in several south Bengal districts. At least 30 flights were cancelled as operations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport were affected. (Image: PTI)