With Durga Puja approaching, frequent and intense rain across Bengal is raising concern as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continues to issue yellow and orange alerts for several districts. Persistent showers are already disrupting pre-Puja shopping, with traders fearing their sales will suffer if the weather continues.

On Monday, Kolkata and adjoining districts witnessed heavy rain as the IMD renewed its alerts across both South and North Bengal. In South Bengal, districts under yellow alert this week include Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia.

Warnings cover thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, with isolated heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) expected in South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad.

The IMD cautioned of waterlogging, traffic jams and lightning strikes during intense spells.

In North Bengal, orange alerts have been issued for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) until Tuesday. Cooch Behar is also under orange alert, while Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda face yellow warnings for thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning. Uttar Dinajpur is under yellow alert, with heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) likely at isolated places. The IMD warned of possible landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills and waterlogging in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.

For Kolkata, the forecast predicts a cloudy sky with light to moderate rain or thundershowers. The maximum temperature is expected around 33 degrees Celsius, and the minimum near 28 degrees Celsius.

“… Widespread light to moderate rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is very likely over districts of North Bengal. Light to moderate rainfall at many places with isolated heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with lightning activity is very likely over districts of South Bengal,” the IMD said.

With heavy rain alerts across North Bengal and thunderstorms likely in the south, residents fear pandal hopping and celebrations may be dampened if the weather does not improve.

(The author is an intern with The Indian Express)