As Cyclone Montha continues to impact India, heavy rain is sweeping across almost all parts of Bengal, including Kolkata. Though the main storm centre lies further south, the sheer size of the cyclonic system has triggered widespread downpours and gusty winds in the state, sharply altering the weather.

Following the weakening of Cyclone Montha, West Bengal is set to witness three days of intense rain activity until Friday before conditions gradually improve, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

A seven-day forecast for Bengal

On Wednesday, October 29, South Bengal districts are expected to see light to moderate rain and thundershowers, with a high chance of heavy rain (7-11 cm) at isolated places in coastal districts such as South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, and North 24 Parganas, along with squally winds of 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph. The pattern will persist through Thursday, October 30, with the heavy rain zone shifting towards Purulia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Paschim Bardhaman.

North Bengal is expected to see rain intensity peak on Friday, October 31, with a yellow alert for heavy rain and an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain over Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, and Alipurduar, accompanied by strong gusty winds.

Rain activity in South Bengal, including Kolkata is likely to ease from November 1, with light to moderate showers at a few places, and further reduce to light rain on Saturday, November 2. From Sunday, November 3, and extending into Tuesday, November 4, the weather is expected to stabilise, turning partly cloudy and dry as the cyclonic influence dissipates.

Status of Cyclone Montha

The IMD, in its latest bulletin on Wednesday, said that Cyclone Montha, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast, has weakened into a cyclonic storm and continues to move north-northwestwards at around 15 kmph.

The department has issued warnings for waterlogging in low-lying areas and traffic congestion, urging residents to take precautions and avoid sheltering under trees or electric poles. Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast until October 30.

As of 5:30 am Wednesday, the system is likely moving across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, weakening into a deep depression within six hours from the time and into a depression in the six hours after that.