Speech on Kolkata Cloudburst: Short and Long Speech for Students

Kolkata, the “City of Joy,” is no stranger to heavy rains and flooding, but the downpour on 23 September 2025 pushed things beyond limits. In just 24 hours, the city was hit by 251.6 mm of rain — the heaviest since 1988 — and between 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., 185.6 mm fell, including nearly 98 mm in a single hour, almost reaching cloudburst intensity. At least 12 people died in Kolkata and nearby areas, mostly due to electrocution, and the city was brought to a standstill with severe waterlogging, transport chaos, and damage to Durga Puja structures. A speech on the Kolkata cloudburst today helps students understand not just its causes and effects, but also how climate change and infrastructure weaknesses magnified the disaster. 

In this blog, we offer short and long speech samples on Kolkata Cloudburst to help students prepare confidently for school events, covering the meaning of a cloudburst, its impact, safety tips, and the role of disaster management agencies.

Short Speech on Kolkata Cloudburst

Good morning respected teachers and my dear friends,

I am here today to speak about a recent disaster that affected our city — the Kolkata cloudburst-like rainfall on 23 September 2025. It was one of the most shocking weather events in recent times.

That day, Kolkata received about 251 millimetres of rain in just 24 hours, the third-highest in history after 1978 and 1986. But what made it frightening was the speed and intensity. Between 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., nearly 180 millimetres of rain fell, and in a single hour around 98 millimetres came down. Streets turned into rivers within minutes.

The impact was heartbreaking. At least 12 people lost their lives, many due to electrocution from wires that touched flood water. Normal life stopped completely. Trains, buses, and flights were cancelled. Schools remained closed. Families were stuck inside their homes, and several Durga Puja pandals were destroyed before the festival even began.

Now the important question: why is this happening? Experts say climate change is a big reason. Our oceans are warming, which means more moisture in the air. When conditions are right, this moisture is released as sudden, extreme rainfall. In fact, scientists have observed that such short bursts of very heavy rain are becoming more common in India.

Another reason is city planning. Kolkata once had many ponds and canals, which worked like sponges during heavy rains. But today many of them are gone or clogged, and our drainage system cannot handle such downpours. So the water stays on the streets instead of flowing away.

My dear friends, such events give us a lesson. We must learn how to live safely during extreme rains — stay indoors, avoid touching wires, and help neighbours in need. At the same time, our government must improve drains, restore water bodies, and prepare disaster warning systems. And we, as students, must spread awareness and understand how climate change is shaping our lives right now.

The Kolkata rainfall of September 2025 was not just a storm — it was a wake-up call. Nature is telling us to change our habits, respect the environment, and get prepared for the future.

Thank you.

Also Read: Speech on India: Long Speech for Students

Long Speech on Kolkata Cloudburst

Respected principal, teachers, and dear students, good morning to all.

On 23rd September 2025, our beloved city Kolkata experienced one of the most extreme weather events in recent memory. Many newspapers called it a “cloudburst-like rainfall.” What happened was not just heavy rain, but an event that exposed how vulnerable cities can be in the era of climate change.

Let me share the facts first. In just 24 hours, Kolkata recorded 251.4 millimetres of rainfall — the third-highest single-day total since records began. But what shocked everyone was the intensity. Between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., nearly 98 millimetres of rain fell — something meteorologists compared to the intensity of a cloudburst. Clouds almost 7 kilometres high formed above the city, releasing enormous moisture. Experts from the Indian Meteorological Department explained that a rare combination of Bay of Bengal winds and low pressure over Odisha created the conditions.

The damage was severe. Twelve people lost their lives, most due to electrocution in waterlogged streets. Roads were under waist-deep water. More than 30 flights were cancelled, and dozens delayed. Trains and metro services were stopped. Homes were flooded, hospitals struggled, and in many places power had to be cut to avoid further accidents. Even Durga Puja pandals — the pride of Bengal — were damaged days before the festival.

But beyond the numbers lies a bigger truth: this disaster is connected to climate change. Warmer oceans mean more evaporation, and that moisture is released during storms as sudden, heavy rainfall. According to climate experts, eastern India is now facing more erratic monsoons — longer dry spells, followed by intense downpours. The Kolkata event is an example of how our weather is changing.

Another factor is urban growth. Once upon a time, Kolkata had hundreds of ponds and wide canals. They absorbed extra rainwater. Today, many have been filled for construction, and drainage pipes are blocked with waste. As a result, when record rainfall strikes, water has nowhere to go but into our homes and streets.

So, what lessons should we learn? First, awareness. Students like us must understand that climate change is not a “future problem” — it is happening now. Second, safety. During floods, we must stay indoors, avoid live wires, and keep helping others. Third, responsibility. Citizens must stop throwing garbage into drains, and governments must invest in better drainage, stronger early warning systems, and protect natural water bodies.

Friends, this event should also inspire us to think globally. If climate change is increasing extreme rainfall in Kolkata, the same is happening in Mumbai, Chennai, and even in countries across the world. The solution lies in reducing pollution, cutting carbon emissions, planting trees, and moving towards cleaner energy.

In conclusion, the Kolkata cloudburst of 2025 was not just a natural event, but a reminder. It reminded us of our fragile relationship with nature. It reminded us that preparedness saves lives. And it reminded us that if we care for our planet, we can reduce such disasters in the future.

Let us take this as a call to action — to stay alert, to spread awareness, and to build a safer tomorrow.

Thank you.

Also Read: Speech on Urbanisation

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