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Incessant rains flood Kolkata

     Kolkata: Incessant rains in Kolkata on Friday flooded the city which was triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. City's century-old drainage system collapsed in the rain and thousands of people waded through muddy water as the downpour continued for the second day. Water loaded with filth from overflowing sewage canals entered homes and shops in many low-lying areas, forcing residents to leave homes in inflatable rafts, while office goers had to be ferried to safety in many areas. "Our drainage system is very archaic. Even if we are able to pump the water out of colonies, we have nowhere to throw it," said Faiyyaz Ahmed, a public representative. Meanwhile, Meteorological Department officials said the downpour was likely to continue for another day. "Currently, low pressure area is lying over West Bengal coast and adjoining land area and it is under circulation in a two kilometre area. Under its influence, widespread rains with heavy to very heavy falls are likely over Orissa, West Bengal during the next 24 hours," said Kusum Chakravorty, Deputy Director of Kolkata meteorological office.