Maha Navami (October 1) and Vijayadashami/Dashami (October 2) are set to be hit by widespread rain across West Bengal, particularly in the southern districts, due to a weather system from the Bay of Bengal, the IMD said.

A low pressure area that intensified on Navami morning later became a depression and is likely to turn into a deep depression before crossing the South Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts on October 2 night or early October 3. The system is pulling in moisture, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to Bengal.

“Today, October 1 (Maha Navami), will be quite wet for South Bengal. Light to moderate rain is likely at most places, with heavy rain (7-11 cm) over North and South 24 Parganas. Thunderstorms with gusty winds (30-40 kmph) and lightning are also expected,” the IMD said.

On October 2, heavy to very heavy rain (7-20 cm) is forecast for coastal South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur. Kolkata and Howrah may see heavy rain (7-11 cm), disrupting Sindoor Khela and idol immersions. Winds could rise to 40-50 kmph in coastal districts, posing risks to pandals.

“The well marked low pressure area over west-central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards, concentrated into a depression and lay centred at 11:30 am today, October 1, over west-central Bay of Bengal… about 400 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 420 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha), 450 km south of Puri (Odisha) and 500 km south of Paradip (Odisha). It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further into a deep depression and cross Odisha and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coasts between Gopalpur and Paradip in the early morning of October 3,” read the IMD’s latest bulletin.

Post-Puja week (October 3-7)

As the system makes landfall, Purulia and Paschim Bardhaman may face heavy to very heavy rain (7-20 cm) on October 3, likely affecting transport. On October 4, Birbhum and Murshidabad are predicted to face heavy rain (7–11 cm). Rainfall is predicted to gradually decrease in South Bengal after October 5, though light to moderate showers may continue until October 7.

Meanwhile, for North Bengal, heavy to very heavy rain (7-20 cm) is expected on October 1, 3 and 4 in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar, raising the risk of landslides in hilly areas.

Authorities have issued a strict warning for fishermen, asking them to avoid the North and Central Bay of Bengal off Bengal and Odisha coasts from October 1 to 3 due to rough seas and squally winds. Commuters and devotees have been advised to avoid waterlogged zones and protect kutcha houses and temporary pandals.