West Bengal: Heavy rains lash southern and western parts of state; officials deny flood threat

Heavy rains lashed the southern and western districts of West Bengal on Saturday, swelling several rivers, and delaying local and inter-city trains. PTI

Heavy rains were reported from Howrah, Hooghly, West and East Midnapur, and parts of Birbhum, Purulia and Bankura districts, besides Kolkata, IMD officials said. PTI

A mother protects her child from the rains on the streets of Kolkata, as thunderstorms and water logging were reported from various locations of the city later on Friday. Twitter@chmnaidu

West Bengal's irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee said, "We have opened two control rooms to monitor each of the districts. Though there are heavy rains, the situation has improved and we have instructed not to release water from dams." PTI

IMD officials have ruled out an immediate flood threat in the state. The East Midnapur district administration, among other local bodies, has issued an alert to fishermen, warning them against venturing into the sea. Twitter@broto_ranjan