Deep depression over Bay of Bengal to lash West Bengal with heavy rain till Friday
Synopsis
A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal won't make direct landfall in West Bengal — but it doesn't need to. Its proximity is enough to trigger four days of heavy to very heavy rain across south Bengal, a landslide warning for the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills, and a complete ban on fishing at sea, with the weather window potentially staying unsettled through Sunday.
Key Takeaways
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression , the IMD confirmed on 23 September 2026 .
The system is forecast to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam during Wednesday night.
South 24 Parganas , East Midnapore , West Midnapore , and Jhargram face heavy to very heavy rain through Friday.
The IMD has warned of landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong and waterlogging in plains districts.
Fishermen are barred from venturing into the sea until Friday ; tourists warned against entering the sea at coastal resorts.
Scattered rainfall is expected to continue across most of south Bengal through Sunday, 27 September .
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday, 23 September, triggering warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across West Bengal, including Kolkata, for four consecutive days through Friday. The system is expected to move inland on Wednesday night, though forecasters say there is no possibility of a direct landfall impact on West Bengal.
Where the System Is Headed
According to the IMD, the deep depression is tracking west-northwest and is likely to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast — between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam — during the night. The system has been moving westward at approximately 12 kmph over the past six hours. While West Bengal lies outside the direct landfall zone, its proximity to the system's path is sufficient to generate sustained heavy rainfall across coastal and inland districts.
Districts on Alert in South Bengal
South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rain over the coming days. Heavy rainfall is additionally possible in parts of Purulia, Birbhum, Hooghly, and Howrah. The weather situation is expected to intensify between Thursday and Friday, with western districts anticipated to bear the brunt of particularly heavy precipitation on Friday. Scattered rainfall is expected to persist across most districts of south Bengal through Sunday, 27 September.
North Bengal, Darjeeling Hills Face Landslide Risk
The system will also affect north Bengal. Heavy rain is possible in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar on Wednesday, with rainfall expected to increase across nearly all north Bengal districts by Thursday. The IMD has specifically warned of possible landslides in the hilly terrain of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and waterlogging in low-lying plains. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on Friday, with Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Cooch Behar also likely to receive heavy rain.
Fishermen Barred, Tourist Alerts Issued
Authorities have barred fishermen from venturing into the sea until Friday in view of the prevailing maritime conditions. An alert has also been issued for tourists visiting beach resort towns along the coast, with residents and visitors advised against entering the sea. The precautionary measures reflect the broader risk along West Bengal's coastline even without a direct landfall.
Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Also in the Firing Line
The deep depression is simultaneously expected to bring heavy to very heavy rain to parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, given the system's projected landfall trajectory near Kalingapatnam. On Tuesday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 31.2 degrees Celsius — 1.06 degrees below normal — and a minimum of 26.7 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 72% and 96%. Authorities across affected states are expected to maintain heightened surveillance as the system makes landfall.
Point of View
But four days of heavy rain across south Bengal — compounded by landslide risk in the Darjeeling hills — is a serious enough public safety event on its own. What this episode underscores is the cascading risk of Bay of Bengal systems even when they make landfall hundreds of kilometres away: coastal districts, hill terrain, and rain-shadow plains all face distinct hazards simultaneously. The recurring ban on fishing during such systems is the right call, but implementation on stretches of the Bengal coast has historically been uneven. With the monsoon still active and the Arabian Sea also generating systems this season, the state's disaster management machinery may face a prolonged test through the remainder of September.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal?
A deep depression is an intensified low-pressure weather system over the sea, with sustained wind speeds that can drive heavy rainfall across nearby coastal and inland areas. The current system developed from a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and is moving west-northwest toward the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast, according to the IMD.
Which districts of West Bengal will receive the heaviest rain?
South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rain. Heavy rainfall is also expected in Purulia, Birbhum, Hooghly, Howrah, Bankura, and West Burdwan, with western districts expected to be worst hit on Friday.
Is Kolkata directly in the path of the depression?
No. The IMD has stated there is no possibility of a direct impact on West Bengal. However, the system's proximity to the state's coastal areas is expected to bring heavy rain to Kolkata and several south Bengal districts for four days from Wednesday, 23 September.
Why have fishermen been barred from the sea?
Authorities have barred fishermen from venturing into the sea until Friday due to rough sea conditions generated by the deep depression. Tourists at coastal beach resorts have also been advised against entering the sea as a precautionary measure.
When is the rain expected to ease in West Bengal?
The most intense rainfall is forecast between Thursday and Friday. Scattered rainfall is expected to continue across most districts of south Bengal through Sunday, 27 September, before conditions gradually improve.
