Will Kolkata Face Continued Heavy Rains Over the Next Four Days?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Heavy rainfall is forecasted for Kolkata over the next four days.
- The low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is intensifying.
- Significant waterlogging has occurred across many streets.
- Residents are advised to remain cautious and avoid traveling in flooded areas.
- Lightning strikes have resulted in fatalities in nearby districts.
Kolkata, July 25 (NationPress): A low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal has led to significant rainfall in the city and various districts in South Bengal last night. Consequently, numerous streets in both urban and suburban areas were left submerged, creating challenges for daily commuters on Friday morning.
The Met Office forecasts that the city and its neighboring regions are expected to experience heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall for the next four days.
An official weather bulletin from the Indian Meteorological Department indicates that the low-pressure system over the north Bay of Bengal, along with its cyclonic circulation, is likely to develop into a depression affecting the coastal zones of West Bengal in the next 24 hours.
"Due to these weather patterns, widespread light to moderate rain, along with isolated heavy to very heavy downpours, is anticipated across the districts of South Bengal over the next two days. Additionally, owing to a robust monsoon flow, light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rain is expected to persist in the following four days across South Bengal's districts," the bulletin stated.
As per the Met Office, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely to occur in most areas across South Bengal on Friday, with heavy to very heavy rainfall in select locations in Bankura and West Midnapore.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in isolated areas of Jhargram, East Midnapore, Purulia, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (speeds of 30-40 km/h) are also likely in some districts of South Bengal," it added.
On Saturday, heavy rainfall is projected at isolated spots in Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, West Midnapore, East and West Burdwan, and Birbhum districts of South Bengal.
On Sunday, heavy rainfall is anticipated at isolated locations in North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Murshidabad, Nadia, East Burdwan, and West Burdwan districts of South Bengal.
By Monday, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecasted at isolated spots in Hooghly, West Midnapore, and East Burdwan, while heavy rainfall is expected in East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura districts of South Bengal. On Tuesday, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at isolated spots in South Purulia, East and West Burdwan, and Bankura.
Moreover, heavy rainfall is anticipated in North Bengal over the weekend, with scattered showers expected in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Alipurduar on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, numerous streets in Kolkata remained inundated following relentless overnight rains, with over 100 mm of rainfall recorded in various city locations. Areas such as Central Avenue, College Street, Ultadanga, MG Road, Chandni Chowk, Thanthania, Taratala, AJC Bose Road, VIP Road, and Kaikhali were submerged in ankle to knee-deep water, severely impacting traffic flow and causing inconvenience to daily travelers.
As of 8:30 am on Friday, Dhapa recorded 107 mm of rain, Ultadanga received 101 mm, Maniktala saw 97 mm, Thanthania was at 77 mm, and Ballygunge recorded 70 mm.
Tragically, as of Friday morning, 19 individuals lost their lives due to lightning strikes across four districts in West Bengal since Wednesday afternoon, with Bankura reporting the highest number of fatalities (9), followed by East Burdwan (5) and other regions.
IANS
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