Rain, thunderstorms lash Kolkata, more likely during Puja
The Statesman | 22 September 2025From early morning, dark clouds covered the sky, followed by spells of torrential rain. By afternoon, many thoroughfares across north Kolkata and adjoining suburban areas were waterlogged after just a few hours of downpour. According to the Alipore Meteorological Office, thunderstorms and rain occurred across districts including North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia.
The forecast for Sunday, which coincides with Mahalaya, the traditional invocation of Goddess Durga and the formal beginning of the festive season — remains much the same. Rain is expected in Nadia, both Midnapores, both 24-Parganas and Jhargram. The weather office has issued a yellow alert, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by rain across all south Bengal districts on Monday and Tuesday. Scattered showers are also likely in other parts of the state.
While monsoon has formally withdrawn, the city and surrounding districts continue to reel under repeated spells of rain. “Moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal is sustaining favourable conditions for rainfall,” a Met official said. A trough of low pressure extending from Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh has already triggered heavy rainfall in north Bengal. The weather office said another low-pressure system is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal next week. Its impact could be felt from 26 to 29 September, bringing showers across south Bengal. From 30 September to 2 October, rainfall activity may intensify further, especially in coastal districts, raising the possibility of heavy downpours.
Adding to the uncertainty, a cyclonic circulation is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal on 23 September, which could cause heavy rainfall in South 24-Parganas and the Midnapore districts.
Forecasters warned that the system may strengthen into a deep depression and move toward the Bengal and Odisha coasts, leading to heavier showers just as Durga Puja festivities get underway. Durga Puja, the state’s biggest festival, begins with Saptami on 28 September this year, a week after Mahalaya. The timing of the weather systems has caused anxiety among artisans and organisers.
Many idol makers in north and south Kolkata have already faced setbacks due to recurrent rainfall in recent months. Water seepage and high humidity have damaged clay models and delayed painting work. “Repeated spells of rain have already cost us a lot of time and money. Even if the idols are ready, carrying them to pandals in heavy rain is a big challenge,” said an artisan at Kumartuli, the traditional hub of idol making. Pandal construction across the city is also nearing completion, but organisers worry about potential disruption if downpours intensify. “We are racing against time. If rain lashes the city during Puja days, it will affect turnout and dampen the festive spirit,” said a Puja committee member in south Kolkata. On Saturday, Kolkata recorded 110 millimetres of rainfall — about 7 to 11 centimetres — according to the weather office. The minimum temperature stood at 28.4 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees above normal, while Friday’s maximum was 32.4 degrees, slightly below average. Despite the forecast, residents and organisers remain hopeful that major disruptions will be avoided. But for now, uncertainty looms large over whether the weather gods will spare Bengal’s biggest festival.
