India, Sept. 24 -- Flights were cancelled, Metro services were suspended, vehicles were stranded and waterlogging submerged most of West Bengal on Tuesday as heavy rain battered the state ahead of Durga Puja celebrations. A heavy rain alert is in place for Bengal till Friday, September 26, a bulletin from the India Meteorological Department said earlier.

"In view of the above low-pressure area, widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to heavy rainfall is very likely over south of Bengal," the IMD earlier said.

Besides, schools were closed two days ahead of schedule for the Durga Puja celebrations and colleges were asked to hold classes online after directions from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

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