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In pictures: India's Kolkata sees worst rains in 39 years

Anahita SachdevBBC News, Delhi
News imageHindustan Times via Getty Images A packed bus drives through a flooded street in India's Kolkata cityHindustan Times via Getty Images
Many key roads in Kolkata city were inundated, slowing down traffic

At least 10 people have died after Kolkata city in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal saw its heaviest rainfall in 39 years.

Nine of the deaths were caused by electrocution in stagnant water.

Residential areas and businesses in the city and its suburbs have been grappling with severe waterlogging since Monday night. Several key roads remain flooded and train services are disrupted, forcing commuters to wade through knee-deep waters.

The flooding comes days before Durga Puja, the region's biggest and most popular annual festival when tens of thousands come out to worship the Hindu goddess Durga.

News imageAFP via Getty Images People wading through knee-deep waters on a flooded road in India's Kolkata cityAFP via Getty Images
In several parts of the city, people had to wade through knee-deep waters

The deluge - reported to have brought down 251.4mm in less than 24 hours - is the worst the city has seen since 1986. It was also the region's sixth-highest single-day of rainfall in the past 137 years.

India's weather department said the rains were a result of a low-pressure area, which developed over the north-east Bay of Bengal.

The city is on alert with more rains predicted for the next few days.

News imageNurPhoto via Getty Images Hundreds of passengers waiting at the Sealdah South Section railway station in Kolkata city after local trains were cancelled following heavy rainNurPhoto via Getty Images
Hundreds of passengers waited at the Sealdah railway station in the city after local trains were cancelled following heavy rain
News imageNurPhoto via Getty Images A man sits inside a house, surrounded by floodwater after heavy rain in India's Kolkata cityNurPhoto via Getty Images
Floodwaters entered many residential areas causing widespread damage to property
News imageNurPhoto via Getty Images Commuters in India's Kolkata trying to hitch a ride on a tempo truck to make their way through a flooded street.NurPhoto via Getty Images
Commuters try to hitch a ride on a tempo truck to make their way through a flooded street

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she had "never seen such rain" and lamented the loss of life, promising compensation to the victims' families.

As many of the deaths were from electrocution, authorities switched off power in many places to prevent further accidents.

Efforts to restore normalcy were under way, officials said on Tuesday night.

News imageHindustan Times via Getty Images A Durga Puja pandal or temporary temple inundated due to heavy rain on in Kolkata city, IndiaHindustan Times via Getty Images
The deluge flooded many Durga Puja pandals - temporary temples erected to celebrate the nine-day festival
News imageHindustan Times via Getty Images Another waterlogged Durga Puja pandal in India's Kolkata cityHindustan Times via Getty Images
These pandals draw tens of thousands of worshippers during the festive season

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