IMD forecasts heavy rain in Kolkata during Jagannath Rath Yatra on July 17
Synopsis
The IMD has issued an orange alert for parts of south Bengal on Jagannath Rath Yatra day, with heavy rain and 40 km/h winds forecast across Kolkata and nine other districts on July 17. The four-day spell shows no early relief — and organisers of one of Bengal's biggest open-air festivals are running out of time to prepare.
Key Takeaways
The IMD forecast moderate to heavy rain across Kolkata and south Bengal for the next four days starting 15 July .
An orange alert has been issued for South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore on Jagannath Rath Yatra day (17 July) .
Heavy rain is expected in 10 districts on Thursday, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and West Burdwan.
Gusty winds of 30–40 km per hour are forecast alongside thunderstorms in all southern districts.
North Bengal districts — Darjeeling , Kalimpong , Jalpaiguri , Cooch Behar , Alipurduar — face heavy rain from Sunday , intensifying on Monday .
Weather in southern districts is expected to improve only from Sunday onwards.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday, 15 July forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across Kolkata and several south Bengal districts over the next four days, with adverse weather conditions likely to disrupt Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations scheduled for Thursday, 17 July. The forecast covers a wide swath of the region, with alerts ranging from yellow to orange across multiple districts.
District-wise Alert Breakdown
An official at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, confirmed that heavy rain is expected on Thursday across Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and West Burdwan districts. An orange alert — the second-highest warning level — has been issued specifically for South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, while a yellow alert covers the remaining southern districts.
On Wednesday itself, heavy rain accompanied by high winds was forecast for North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour are also anticipated alongside thunderstorms in all southern districts.
Impact on Rath Yatra Celebrations
The timing of the weather system is particularly significant for Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most widely observed Hindu festivals in West Bengal, drawing massive processions and open-air gatherings. Organisers across Kolkata and neighbouring districts face the prospect of waterlogged routes and strong winds on the day of the chariot procession. The IMD indicated that similar conditions are expected to persist through Friday and Saturday as well, prolonging the disruption window for any extended festivities.
Notably, the southern districts are expected to see some weather improvement from Sunday onwards, according to the Met office.
North Bengal Also on Alert
The forecast extends beyond the southern districts. Heavy rain is expected in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri on Wednesday, with a yellow alert covering the remaining North Bengal districts. Little change is expected on Thursday and Friday in the north. However, from Sunday, heavy rain is anticipated across five north Bengal districts — Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar — with rainfall intensity set to increase further on Monday.
What to Expect in the Coming Days
The IMD's four-day outlook suggests that the current spell is not a brief passing shower but a sustained weather system affecting both northern and southern Bengal. Residents and event organisers are advised to monitor updated alerts from the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, as conditions may evolve. The next significant shift in southern Bengal's weather pattern is projected only from Sunday.
Point of View
Tall chariots, and open routes that become hazardous in gusty winds above 30 km/h. Authorities and puja committees rarely have robust contingency frameworks for weather disruptions of this scale. The four-day duration of the forecast also means this is not a single-day inconvenience but a sustained test of event management across multiple districts. What is missing from official communication so far is any coordinated advisory from the state government or district administrations on crowd safety protocols — a gap that warrants urgent attention.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMD forecast for Kolkata on Jagannath Rath Yatra day?
The IMD has forecast heavy rain in Kolkata and at least nine other south Bengal districts on Thursday, 17 July — the day of Jagannath Rath Yatra. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour and thunderstorms are also expected.
Which districts are under orange alert in West Bengal?
South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore have been placed under an orange alert on Thursday. The orange alert is the second-highest warning level and signals a higher probability of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
How long will the bad weather last in south Bengal?
According to the IMD, similar conditions — heavy rain and thunderstorms — are expected to continue through Friday and Saturday. Some improvement is projected in southern districts from Sunday onwards.
Will north Bengal also be affected by rain this week?
Yes. Heavy rain is forecast for Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri on Wednesday, with a yellow alert for other North Bengal districts. From Sunday, five districts — Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar — face heavy rain, intensifying further on Monday.
What does the yellow alert issued for Kolkata mean?
A yellow alert signals the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, urging residents to stay informed and take precautions. It is a watch-level advisory, below the action-level orange alert issued for South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.
