Bay of Bengal low-pressure area to lash south Bengal with heavy rain
Synopsis
A strengthening low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal is set to drench seven south Bengal districts over the next two days, with fishermen banned from the sea and a yellow alert active across north Bengal as well. The monsoon trough from Rajasthan to the coast is amplifying the risk — making this one of the more active weather episodes of the 2025 monsoon season for West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
A well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify over the next two to three days .
Heavy rain warning issued for South 24 Parganas , East Midnapore , West Midnapore , West Burdwan , Jhargram , Purulia , and Bankura for the next two days.
Fishermen prohibited from going to sea until Monday due to rough conditions and winds of 35–45 km per hour .
Darjeeling faces a heavy rain warning from Tuesday to Thursday ; Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong from Monday through next Saturday.
Yellow alert in place for Alipurduar and Cooch Behar from Tuesday onwards.
Kolkata's maximum temperature on Saturday was 29.6°C , 3 degrees below normal , reflecting heavy cloud cover.
A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is set to trigger widespread and heavy rainfall across several districts of south Bengal over the next few days, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata warned on Sunday, 26 July. The system has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over south Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh, and is expected to intensify further over the next two to three days.
Districts on Alert
The RMC has flagged a high probability of heavy rain in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura districts over the next two days. Gusty winds across almost all districts of West Bengal could reach speeds of 40 to 50 km per hour at some locations, with thunderstorm warnings in force for south Bengal.
Kolkata itself is expected to see only scattered rain and thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday, with wind speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour. Heavy rain in the city is considered unlikely at this stage.
Fishermen Barred from Sea
Sea conditions off the Bengal coast have turned rough, with gusty winds blowing at 35 to 45 km per hour over the open sea. Authorities have prohibited fishermen from venturing out to sea until Monday, after which conditions are expected to normalise, according to a Met official. The warning reflects the direct operational impact of the low-pressure system on coastal livelihoods.
North Bengal Also in the Crosshairs
Rainfall will not be confined to the south. The Met office has issued a heavy rain warning for Darjeeling from Tuesday to Thursday. Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong districts are expected to receive continuous heavy rain from Monday through next Saturday. Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are also likely to see scattered heavy showers from Tuesday onwards, with a yellow alert in place across these districts. North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda are receiving scattered rains but carry no active weather warnings at present.
Kolkata Temperatures and Monsoon Trough
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 26.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning — 0.2 degrees below normal — while Saturday's maximum of 29.6 degrees Celsius was 3 degrees below normal, reflecting the cloud cover and moisture being drawn in by the system. The monsoon trough, stretching from Rajasthan through Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to the Bay of Bengal coast, is also reinforcing the prevailing wet conditions across the region. With the system expected to intensify, residents in warned districts should remain alert to local advisories in the coming days.
Point of View
Compounded by an active monsoon trough spanning Rajasthan to the coast, is precisely the kind of compound event that historically overwhelms drainage in districts like South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore. The fishing ban is a sensible precaution, but the real test is whether district administrations activate flood-preparedness protocols before the system peaks — not after. North Bengal's parallel heavy-rain window through next Saturday means relief machinery could be stretched thin across both regions simultaneously.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in south Bengal are under heavy rain warning?
The Regional Meteorological Centre has warned of heavy rain in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura over the next two days from 26 July. Gusty winds of up to 50 km per hour are also expected across these areas.
Why are fishermen banned from going to sea?
Fishermen have been prohibited from venturing into the sea until Monday because the low-pressure area has made sea conditions rough, with gusty winds blowing at 35 to 45 km per hour over the Bay of Bengal. Conditions are expected to return to normal after Monday, according to the Met official.
Will Kolkata receive heavy rain?
Heavy rain in Kolkata is considered unlikely at this stage. The city may see only scattered rain, thunderstorms, and winds of 30 to 40 km per hour on Sunday and Monday, while the more intense rainfall is directed at surrounding south Bengal districts.
What is the weather outlook for north Bengal?
North Bengal is also in for a wet spell. Darjeeling has a heavy rain warning from Tuesday to Thursday, while Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong are expected to receive heavy rain from Monday through next Saturday. Alipurduar and Cooch Behar carry a yellow alert from Tuesday onwards.
How long will the low-pressure system last?
The system is expected to intensify over the next two to three days from 26 July, after which conditions over the sea are expected to normalise. Scattered rains across south Bengal are forecast to continue from Tuesday onwards even as the peak intensity eases.
