The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Alipore on Saturday, 20 June forecast rain across Kolkata and West Bengal through Monday, with light showers likely during the International Yoga Day event on Sunday morning. Crucially, the Met office confirmed no heavy rain is expected in Kolkata until Sunday afternoon, offering a partial reprieve for the high-profile outdoor gathering.

Yoga Day Event in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the International Yoga Day programme at Red Road, Kolkata on Sunday. Preparatory work is already underway, and the stretch has been closed to traffic ahead of the event, which is expected to draw a large number of participants. The RMC's forecast of only light rain through Sunday afternoon provides cautious reassurance for organisers.

Heavy Rain and Landslide Warning for North Bengal

While Kolkata faces manageable conditions, north Bengal is on a higher alert. The RMC has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rains across the upper five districts of north Bengal. Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts have received the highest-level warning, while Kalimpong and Darjeeling face a landslide risk if heavy rains materialise.

'Heavy to very heavy rains are likely in some districts of South Bengal. There is a possibility of thunder showers and gusty winds. On the other hand, there is a possibility of very heavy to extremely heavy rains in some districts of north Bengal. A landslide warning has also been issued,' an official at the RMC said.

What Is Driving the Rainfall

According to the Met office, the southwest monsoon axis — extending from Punjab to Bihar through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh — remains active. Simultaneously, moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal are pushing into the state, creating favourable conditions for rain and thundershowers across multiple districts over the coming days.

The state has already recorded widespread rainfall in the past 24 hours, with heavy showers expected to persist in north Bengal for the next three days before gradually easing.

Kolkata Temperature and Rainfall Data

Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius on Friday — 4.08 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature stood at 24.6 degrees Celsius, 2.04 degrees below normal. Rainfall over the preceding 24 hours measured 50.8 millimetres. The RMC noted that South Bengal, including Kolkata, will continue to receive rain on Saturday and Sunday, but intensity is expected to gradually decrease.

'South Bengal, including Kolkata, will also receive rain today and tomorrow, Sunday. However, the intensity will gradually decrease. There is a high possibility of rain from morning to afternoon. However, there is no possibility of heavy rain till Sunday afternoon. Till then, there is a possibility of only light rain,' the RMC official said.

With the monsoon axis firmly active and Bay of Bengal moisture feeding the system, weather conditions across West Bengal are expected to remain unsettled well into next week.