IMD forecasts heavy rain in north Bengal from Sunday, yellow alert across south
Synopsis
A monsoon axis running from Rajasthan to the Bay of Bengal, paired with a cyclonic circulation, is set to keep West Bengal drenched well into next week. North Bengal's five hill and foothills districts face a yellow heavy-rain alert from Sunday, while south Bengal's coastal belt — already soaked for a week — braces for another intense spell by Wednesday.
Key Takeaways
The IMD issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in south Bengal on 25 July , covering South 24 Parganas , East Midnapore , West Midnapore , and Jhargram .
A fresh heavy-rain yellow alert for north Bengal — covering Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri , Alipurduar , Cooch Behar , and Kalimpong — kicks in from Sunday .
The wet spell is driven by a monsoon axis from Bikaner, Rajasthan to the northeast Bay of Bengal and an associated cyclonic circulation.
Kolkata recorded a maximum of 29.06°C on Friday — 2.04 degrees below normal — with humidity between 90–98% .
Rain intensity in south Bengal is expected to ease slightly from Monday before returning on Wednesday in coastal and adjacent districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday, 25 July forecast a prolonged wet spell across West Bengal, with heavy rainfall expected in south Bengal's coastal and western districts over the coming days and a fresh heavy-rain onset in north Bengal from Sunday. The warning follows a week of widespread rainfall across the state.
What the IMD Said
Habibur Rahman Biswas, Director at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, Kolkata, attributed the sustained wet spell to a monsoon axis stretching from Bikaner in Rajasthan to the northeast Bay of Bengal over Midnapore, compounded by a cyclonic circulation positioned above sea level. 'There is a yellow alert for heavy rain in south Bengal today. There is a possibility of scattered rain in all districts. The intensity of rain will decrease slightly from Monday. There is a possibility of heavy rain again on Wednesday in the coastal and adjacent districts. There is a yellow alert for scattered light rain in north Bengal for now. Heavy rain will occur in north Bengal from Sunday. The yellow alert for heavy rain will continue till Wednesday,' Biswas said.
District-Level Alerts
A yellow alert for heavy rain is in place for South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram on Saturday, with scattered showers possible in the remaining districts. The alert for South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore is expected to remain active over the next several days.
In north Bengal, a yellow alert for heavy rain will come into effect from Sunday across five districts — Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Kalimpong — and is forecast to continue for several days thereafter.
Kolkata Weather Outlook
Kolkata is expected to see light rain on Saturday, with precipitation likely easing through the day. Despite the reduced rainfall, high humidity levels — relative humidity ranged between 90 and 98 per cent — are forecast to persist, keeping discomfort levels elevated. Rain activity is expected to taper from Sunday before returning on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Friday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 29.06 degrees Celsius, some 2.04 degrees below normal, while the minimum settled at 25.02 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees below normal.
Broader Context
The current wet spell is consistent with the Bay of Bengal's active monsoon phase, which typically intensifies rainfall over eastern India between late July and mid-August. Notably, the convergence of a monsoon trough and a cyclonic circulation over the region amplifies precipitation risk, particularly for low-lying coastal districts already saturated after a week of continuous rain. Residents in alert zones are advised to stay updated with IMD bulletins as conditions evolve.
Point of View
But the broader picture warrants attention: a monsoon axis anchored over Midnapore combined with a Bay of Bengal cyclonic circulation is a textbook setup for sustained, multi-day flooding risk in low-lying coastal districts. South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore — perennially flood-prone — are staring at near-continuous alerts through Wednesday. What the forecast does not address is the cumulative soil saturation after a week of rain, which lowers the threshold for flash flooding even under 'moderate' rainfall. Disaster preparedness communication needs to go beyond colour-coded alerts and into actionable ground-level advisories.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in south Bengal are under a heavy-rain yellow alert?
South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram are under a yellow alert for heavy rain on 25 July. The alert for South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore is expected to continue over the next several days.
When will heavy rain hit north Bengal?
Heavy rain is forecast to begin in north Bengal from Sunday, with a yellow alert covering Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Kalimpong. The alert is expected to remain in effect for several days.
Why is West Bengal experiencing such prolonged rainfall?
According to IMD, a monsoon axis extending from Bikaner in Rajasthan to the northeast Bay of Bengal over Midnapore, combined with a cyclonic circulation above sea level, is sustaining the wet spell across the state.
What is the weather outlook for Kolkata this week?
Kolkata can expect light rain on Saturday with humidity remaining high at 90–98%. Rain is likely to ease from Sunday but another spell is forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the IMD.
What temperatures did Kolkata record on Friday?
Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 29.06 degrees Celsius on Friday, which was 2.04 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 25.02 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees below normal.
