Kolkata has once again been brought to a standstill by heavy monsoon rainfall, with large parts of the city submerged under floodwater.
Streets have turned into rivers, residential areas are battling severe waterlogging, and businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
Amid this chaos, social media has been flooded with videos showing daily life turned upside down, cars stranded in the middle of roads, offices inaccessible, and water entering homes, forcing people to wade through knee-deep water.
Yet, one particular video has risen above the rest, not because of destruction, but because of its bizarre yet symbolic humor.
It shows a snake swimming in a flooded backyard, carrying a fish in its mouth, a scene that instantly went viral across platforms and sparked widespread commentary.
Shared on Instagram by Atreyee Mitra, the video shows a snake gliding smoothly through floodwater while gripping a fish.
Shot from inside a home, the clip was humorously captioned “Just Kolkata things,” highlighting the city’s unique ability to find lightness even in hardship.
The timing of the video has made it even more impactful, as Kolkata prepares for Durga Puja, its grandest annual celebration. The sight of a snake securing a fish in floodwaters struck residents as oddly fitting, a reminder of the city’s resilience and cultural quirks.
Experts and local viewers quickly identified the reptile as a Checkered Keelback, also known in Bengali as Jol Dhora. This non-venomous water snake thrives near wetlands and flooded areas and is often spotted feeding on fish, frogs, and other aquatic life.
For many viewers, the sight was more than just a natural behavior and it was deeply symbolic. Fish is not just food in Bengal; it is part of its cultural identity.
From traditional meals to festive feasts, fish and rice (machh-bhaat) are inseparable from Bengali life. That even a snake appeared to “celebrate” fish during floods became a source of laughter and cultural pride.
Kolkata Residents Turn Snake Flood Video Into a Moment of Humour and Pride
The internet wasted no time in turning the video into a moment of comic relief.
One user joked, “Bro proved that he is Bengali.” Another added, “In Kolkata, even snakes eat machh-bhaat.”
Others chimed in with witty remarks like: “Bhai aaj full party karega (He is going to have a full party today) and Peak Kolkata moment.”
The responses show how humor remains an essential coping mechanism for the people of Kolkata, even when faced with the discomfort and dangers of urban flooding.
The image of a snake swimming through a flooded Kolkata house with a fish in its mouth is not just a viral oddity.
It is a powerful moment that reveals how extreme weather dissolves spatial norms, force animal adaptation, and provoke collective reflection on fragile coexistence with nature.
It invites individuals to see that behind every sensational clip, there is a deeper story of climate stress, urban limits, and the unexpected ways life persists when boundaries blur.
Flooding Ahead of Durga Puja Brings Concerns
While the snake video went viral, the reality of Kolkata’s floods is sobering. Waterlogging has disrupted transport, damaged property, and even led to fatalities.
In one widely shared clip, a Rolls-Royce Ghost was abandoned on a submerged street, underlining that the floods affect everyone, regardless of wealth.
The timing has only added to concerns, as Durga Puja, Bengal’s most anticipated festival, is just around the corner. Preparation for the massive celebrations has been hit hard, with pandal construction, markets, and public events affected by the rains.
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