The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast renewed spells of heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal beginning Monday, even as a weakened low-pressure area over Gangetic Bengal continues to bring intermittent rain to the region.
While Kolkata and its surrounding areas witnessed widespread disruption earlier this week due to incessant rainfall and waterlogging, the intensity of the downpour is expected to ease in the coming days. The IMD’s Alipore centre said the low-pressure system that triggered the rains has shifted westward and weakened marginally.
As a result, the likelihood of heavy rain has decreased over most southern districts of the state, barring North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, and Purulia. These three districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall, ranging from 7 to 11 centimetres, on Monday. The rest of south Bengal is likely to witness light to moderate showers at scattered locations over the weekend.
“Monsoon winds remain active across the state,” an IMD official said. “Although the system is weakening, moist southwesterlies will continue to bring periodic rain to southern districts,” he said. Sea conditions are likely to remain normal during this period, and the IMD has not issued any advisory for fishermen.
Meanwhile, in north Bengal, a fresh spell of heavy rain is forecast to begin from Sunday, affecting districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Kalimpong. The rain is expected to persist through Thursday. Heavy rain is also likely over North Dinajpur from Tuesday onwards. “Due to the topography and persistent monsoonal flow, north Bengal is more prone to prolonged and intense rainfall. Localised flooding cannot be ruled out if rains persist beyond three days,” the official warned. The prolonged wet spell has brought down temperatures significantly across the state.
On Friday, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 26.1°C, 0.8 degrees below normal. On Thursday, the maximum temperature in the city dropped to 29.6°C, which is 3.2 degrees below the seasonal average. Though there are no red alerts currently in place, authorities have urged local administrations in both north and south Bengal to remain vigilant, especially in low-lying areas vulnerable to flash floods and waterlogging. With the monsoon firmly entrenched over eastern India, the coming week may bring further rainfall-induced disruptions, particularly in the northern parts of the state.