Rush Hour: Heavy rains in Kolkata leave seven dead, rupee sinks to record low & more

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At least seven persons were killed in Kolkata amid heavy overnight rainfall that led to waterlogging in several areas. The city received 247.4 mm of rainfall since 8.30 am on Monday, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre.

Kolkata Mayor and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said that most parts of the city were waterlogged. Several areas reported power outages amid the downpour on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the public to stay indoors for their safety.

Banerjee also ordered state government schools to start Durga Puja holidays from Tuesday and urged private schools to remain closed for the next two days. The rain came days before the festival starts on September 28. Read on.

The Indian rupee fell to an all-time provisional low of 88.75 against the United States dollar. The depreciation came against the backdrop of the United States increasing the H-1B visa fee to $100,00, which forex traders said could lead to lower remittances and hit Indian Information Technology service exports.

The rupee opened at 88.41, fell to an intraday low of 88.82, and ended the day at 88.75.

The rate of 88.75 marked a...

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