Will Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Persist in South Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata and several districts in South Bengal are under a yellow alert for heavy rain.
- Heavy rainfall is expected to worsen flood-like conditions.
- Be cautious of rising river levels, particularly for Teesta, Torsa, and Jaldhaka.
- Landslide risks are present in hilly regions.
- Stay informed through local weather updates and advisories.
Kolkata, Aug 7 (NationPress) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Kolkata and various districts in South Bengal, predicting light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms and gusty winds (30-40 km/h) throughout the weekend.
As per the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata's Alipore, heavy rainfall is expected in districts of South Bengal such as Hooghly, East Burdwan, Bankura, South 24 Parganas, and Nadia.
Simultaneously, light to moderate showers with thundershowers are anticipated in one or two areas of Birbhum, Murshidabad, East Burdwan, Bankura, West Midnapore, and South 24 Parganas, according to the weather department.
Light to moderate rain is also likely in most parts of these districts on Friday. Purulia may experience heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds. The intensity of rain over South Bengal is forecasted to decrease starting Saturday.
The flood-like conditions in various locations in West Midnapore, Howrah, and Hooghly districts are expected to worsen due to the heavy rain.
On Wednesday, the maximum temperature recorded in Kolkata was 29.2 degrees Celsius, which is 2 degrees below normal, while the minimum was 23.5 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal. The relative humidity reached a maximum of 98 percent and a minimum of 89 percent.
Meanwhile, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in certain areas of the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, and Alipurduar. Heavy rain is also likely in one or two spots in Cooch Behar and Malda.
A meteorological official stated, “Heavy rains will persist in Bengal over the next few days. The monsoon axis extending from Bihar to Bangladesh, passing over Gangetic West Bengal, has introduced significant moisture into the state. The current system will ensure continued rainfall across the state.”
The volume of rainfall in North Bengal is anticipated to increase starting Thursday.
Due to continuous rain, the water levels of the Teesta, Torsa, and Jaldhaka rivers are expected to rise further, with a likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas near these rivers. There is also a risk of landslides in the hills, as several landslides have been reported on NH-10, disrupting connectivity between Sikkim and Siliguri in north Bengal.