Heavy to very heavy rain alert for south Bengal, Kolkata till Saturday
Synopsis
A well-marked low-pressure area is driving a week-long rain event across Bengal — with south Bengal, including Kolkata, under yellow warning till Saturday, and north Bengal bracing for a fresh and potentially more severe spell from the weekend. The RMC has flagged rising disaster risk in the north just as the south begins to clear.
Key Takeaways
The RMC Kolkata (Alipore) issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain across all south Bengal districts through Saturday, 19 July .
Gusty winds of up to 50 km/h are possible alongside thunderstorms in several districts.
Coastal districts East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas face heavy rain on both Tuesday and Wednesday .
North Bengal districts — Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri , and Alipurduar — face heavy to very heavy rain from Saturday through Monday .
The RMC has flagged an increasing disaster risk in northern districts from Saturday onward.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata's Alipore on Tuesday, 14 July issued a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall across south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, through Saturday, driven by a well-marked low-pressure area. A yellow warning covering thunderstorms and rain has been activated for the entire south Bengal region for the duration.
District-wise Rain Forecast
On Tuesday, the heaviest spells are expected in Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore. The two coastal districts — East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas — face continued heavy rain risk on Wednesday as well.
By Thursday, the rain belt shifts to Howrah, Hooghly, West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, and West Burdwan. Friday brings heavier spells to East Burdwan, Purulia, Birbhum, and Murshidabad. Thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching up to 50 kilometres per hour are possible across several locations throughout the week.
What the Met Department Said
According to an official at the RMC, conditions in south Bengal may ease marginally from Saturday as skies begin to clear. 'The sky may start clearing a bit in the districts of south Bengal from Saturday. Thunderstorms may decrease. However, there is a risk of increasing disasters again in the northern districts from Saturday,' the official said.
North Bengal Outlook
The five north Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar are also under a thunderstorm watch on Tuesday. Heavy rain is forecast for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar on Wednesday, with a relative lull expected on Thursday and Friday.
The respite in the north will be short-lived. Heavy to very heavy rain is set to return to all five districts by Saturday, intensifying further on Sunday and Monday. The RMC has flagged an elevated disaster risk for the northern belt from the weekend onward.
What Residents Should Know
Kolkata itself faces thunderstorm risk throughout the week, with several adjoining districts likely to receive above-normal rainfall over the next few days. Authorities have not yet issued a red alert, but the active yellow warning signals that conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas of south Bengal are advised to stay alert to local administration updates.
Point of View
Then the system tracks north. What deserves closer attention is the official's explicit mention of 'increasing disasters' in the northern districts from Saturday: that language signals flood and landslide risk in the Darjeeling-Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar belt, which is historically the most vulnerable corridor in Bengal. A yellow warning for the south is manageable; a heavy-to-very-heavy forecast for the hills over a weekend, when administrative response is slower, is the real concern this cycle.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in south Bengal are under heavy rain warning?
The RMC has issued a yellow warning covering all south Bengal districts, with the heaviest rain expected in Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Hooghly, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, East Burdwan, Birbhum, and Murshidabad at different points through Saturday.
What is causing the heavy rain in Bengal?
A well-marked low-pressure area is the primary driver of the prolonged rain spell across Bengal, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata's Alipore. Such systems are common during the active monsoon phase and typically sustain multi-day rainfall events.
Will Kolkata experience heavy rain this week?
Yes, Kolkata is under the yellow warning zone and faces thunderstorm risk throughout the week. Several districts adjacent to Kolkata are also expected to receive above-normal rainfall over the next few days, according to the RMC forecast issued on 14 July.
When will the rain ease in south Bengal?
The RMC expects skies to begin clearing in south Bengal from Saturday, with thunderstorm activity gradually decreasing. However, conditions in north Bengal are forecast to worsen simultaneously from Saturday onward.
Which north Bengal districts face the highest risk this weekend?
Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The RMC has flagged an elevated disaster risk for the northern districts from Saturday, with rain intensity expected to increase further into the following week.
