Bay of Bengal depression triggers heavy rain in Kolkata, south Bengal till Wednesday
Synopsis
A Bay of Bengal depression making landfall near Balasore is pushing sustained heavy to very heavy rain across Kolkata and south Bengal through Wednesday. With an Orange Alert active for three districts and north Bengal set to be hit from Tuesday, this is one of the most widespread monsoon events in the region this season.
Key Takeaways
A Bay of Bengal depression is driving heavy rain across Kolkata and south Bengal districts from Sunday, 6 July through at least Wednesday, 9 July .
The system was located 50 km south-southeast of Balasore and 60 km south-southwest of Digha on Sunday, moving west-northwest toward landfall.
Orange Alert issued for East Midnapore , West Midnapore , and Jhargram for very heavy rain.
Heavy rainfall expected in Kolkata , Howrah , South 24 Parganas , Hooghly , Purulia , and Bankura on Monday.
North Bengal — including Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar — to face very heavy rain with gusty winds from Tuesday onwards.
Waterlogging reported on several Kolkata roads; the depression is expected to cross the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border by Tuesday .
A depression that formed in the Bay of Bengal is driving heavy to very heavy rainfall across Kolkata and south Bengal districts, with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Alipore warning that the wet spell will persist through Wednesday, 9 July. Continuous rain has been lashing the city and its suburbs since Sunday night, with waterlogging reported on several roads.
What the Depression Is Doing
The low pressure area that formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on Sunday, when it was located approximately 50 km south-southeast of Balasore in Odisha and 60 km south-southwest of Digha in West Bengal. The system is moving west-northwest and is expected to make landfall through the stretch between Chandbali and Digha, near Balasore, on Monday. By Tuesday, it is likely to cross the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.
What the Met Office Said
'Due to the influence of the low pressure area which has turned into a depression, there is a possibility of heavy rain in Kolkata and south Bengal. There will be very heavy rain in some places. Continuous rain has started in Kolkata and its suburbs since Sunday night. Sometimes the rain intensity increases, sometimes it decreases. However, the rain will continue till Wednesday,' an RMC official said.
The official added that the monsoon axis currently extends from southwest Rajasthan through Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and into the Bay of Bengal, keeping the monsoon active across the state and amplifying rainfall across a large part of south Bengal.
Districts on Alert
Heavy rainfall is expected in Kolkata, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Purulia, and Bankura on Monday. The RMC has issued an Orange Alert — signalling very heavy rain — for East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram districts. Scattered rain is forecast to continue across southern districts through the rest of the week.
North Bengal Also in the Crosshairs
Rain is set to intensify in north Bengal from Tuesday onwards. Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are likely to see very heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds on Wednesday and Thursday. North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts are also expected to receive heavy rainfall during this period.
Ground Impact
The sustained downpour has already caused waterlogging on several city roads, disrupting normal movement. Authorities have not yet issued evacuation orders, but residents in low-lying areas of south Bengal are advised to remain alert. The depression's gradual weakening after landfall should bring some relief by the latter part of the week, though rain will not cease entirely.
Point of View
And this depression follows a pattern seen repeatedly in recent years — a northwest-tracking system that stalls rainfall over the Bengal coast for three to four days before weakening inland. What is notable this time is the simultaneous activation of the monsoon axis from Rajasthan to the Bay, which means the rainfall footprint is unusually wide. The Orange Alert for Midnapore and Jhargram is not routine; these districts have seen flash flooding in previous similar events. Authorities would do well to pre-position disaster response rather than react after waterlogging escalates.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it raining so heavily in Kolkata and south Bengal?
A depression that formed in the northwest Bay of Bengal is the primary driver. The system intensified from a low pressure area on Sunday and is moving toward the Odisha-West Bengal coast, channelling heavy moisture over south Bengal. The active monsoon axis stretching from Rajasthan to the Bay is amplifying the effect.
How long will the heavy rain continue in Kolkata?
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore, heavy to very heavy rain will continue in Kolkata and south Bengal districts through Wednesday, 9 July. Scattered rain is expected to persist across southern districts for the rest of the week even after the main spell eases.
Which districts are under Orange Alert?
The RMC has issued an Orange Alert — indicating very heavy rainfall — for East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram districts. Kolkata, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Purulia, and Bankura are also on alert for heavy rain on Monday.
Will north Bengal also be affected?
Yes. Rain is expected to intensify in north Bengal from Tuesday onwards. Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are forecast to receive very heavy rainfall with gusty winds on Wednesday and Thursday, while North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur are also likely to see heavy rain.
Where is the depression expected to make landfall?
The depression is expected to make landfall through the stretch between Chandbali and Digha, near Balasore in Odisha, on Monday. It is then forecast to move north and cross the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border by Tuesday as it gradually weakens over land.
