23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
The Boy Coming Back from School

When the alert for heavy rainfall was issued, few could have predicted the scale of disruption it would bring. Schools and other institutions quickly declared closures, prioritizing the safety of students and staff. Yet, as the rain intensified, it became clear that this was no ordinary downpour—the city was on the brink of total collapse. Imagine a boy making his way home from school on what felt like a doomsday. Roads were submerged, buses stalled in rising waters, and familiar routes vanished beneath relentless torrents. The heavy rain flooded the city so thoroughly that daily life ground to a halt. Streets turned into rivers; neighborhoods were cut off from essential services. This event serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable our cities are to extreme weather. Preparing for such emergencies is not just prudent—it’s absolutely necessary to protect lives and maintain order when nature unleashes its full force.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Kolkata, India
Camera: NIKON Z6_3
Copyright: © Joydeep Mukherjee