Bengal Weather: The effect of Cyclone Montha is not over yet in eastern India. The past few days have seen incessant rainfall in West Bengal and it is likely to continue on Saturday, November 1, especially in North Bengal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kolkata is likely to receive light to moderate rain or thundershower.
“Light to Moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at many places over East Midnapur, North & South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, kolkata districts of South Bengal,” the IMD said in its latest bulletin.
Rainfall of 2.5mm-15.5mm in 24 hours is classified as light rain, whereas rainfall of 15.6-64.4mm is categorised as ‘moderate’. If the 24-hour average rainfall is between 64.5 and 115.5 mm, it is classified as ‘heavy rain’. The rainfall is classified as ‘very heavy’ if it is over 115.6mm and below 204.4 mm. Anything above 204.5 is categorised as ‘extreme’.
“Heavy rain (07-11 cm)very likely to occur at one or two places over Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri districts of North Bengal,” the bulletin added further.
A yellow alert has been issued for Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri in North Bengal and East Midnapur, North & South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, and Kolkata in South Bengal.
The IMD has warned of waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas and underpass roads due to the rain. Hilly regions in North Bengal, such as Darjeeling and Kalimpong, face the risk of landslides.
Water levels in the Teesta, the Torsa, the Raidak, and the Jaldhaka rivers are expected to rise and farmers may face crop damage.
For Sunday, the IMD has forecast light rain and thundershowers across the state. However, no warning has been issued.
Bengal is likely to remain dry on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, while Most of the state is forecast to be devoid of rain, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts have a chance of getting a shower or two.
On Thursday, North & South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts are likely to get light rain or thundershowers.