New Delhi, Sep 24 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the deaths caused by torrential rains and flooding in Kolkata, and urged both the state and central governments to act quickly to restore normalcy in the city.

Kolkata continued to reel under waterlogging on Wednesday, particularly in Salt Lake and several areas in the north and central parts of the city, a day after one of the heaviest downpours in nearly four decades left at least 10 people dead, nine of them due to electrocution.

“My thoughts are with the people of Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal as they endure the devastation caused by incessant rainfall and flooding. Heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

He also appealed to Congress workers to provide support in relief efforts, while pressing both state and central authorities to move swiftly to restore normalcy.

The deluge, which saw 251.4 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours, was the highest since 1986 and the sixth-heaviest single-day downpour in 137 years, behind records set in 1978 and 1888. The India Meteorological Department said the maximum hourly rainfall was 98 mm between 3 am and 4 am Tuesday, though it clarified that the downpour did not meet the definition of a cloudburst.

The rains paralysed Kolkata and surrounding districts, crippling road, rail and air transport, forcing schools and colleges to shut, and prompting the state government to advance Durga Puja holidays. Arterial roads turned into rivers, Metro and train services were suspended, and flights were disrupted as the city struggled to recover ahead of Bengal’s biggest festival next week.