Kolkata, South Bengal brace for thunderstorms; North Bengal faces heavy rain till Friday
Synopsis
A low-pressure system over Gangetic West Bengal has triggered widespread rain and waterlogging in Kolkata, with thunderstorms set to continue through Wednesday. North Bengal faces the longer end of the stick — Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar are under heavy rain alerts stretching through Friday, even as south Bengal begins to ease.
Key Takeaways
A low-pressure system over Gangetic West Bengal triggered overnight downpours in Kolkata and south Bengal on 1 September .
Kolkata , South 24 Parganas , Purulia , Bankura , West Burdwan , and Birbhum are under heavy rain alert for Tuesday.
A storm warning has been issued for all north Bengal districts; Darjeeling , Kalimpong , Jalpaiguri , Alipurduar , and Cooch Behar face heavy rain through Thursday .
Jalpaiguri , Alipurduar , and Cooch Behar are forecast to see continued heavy rain on Friday .
Waterlogging reported on several Kolkata roads Tuesday morning; IMD warns of further waterlogging in low-lying areas.
South Bengal rain warning expected to ease after Wednesday ; north Bengal remains unsettled for several more days.
An active low-pressure system over Gangetic West Bengal unleashed overnight downpours across Kolkata and southern districts on Tuesday, 1 September, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued thunderstorms and heavy precipitation through Wednesday. The system, also adjoining Odisha and the northwest Bay of Bengal, has kept weather conditions unsettled across the state since Monday.
Rain Warning Across South Bengal
Kolkata and South 24 Parganas are likely to receive heavy rain accompanied by thundershowers and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph. Districts including Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum have also been placed under a heavy rain alert for Tuesday. The rain warning for south Bengal is expected to ease after Wednesday, though scattered light to moderate showers and thunderstorms are likely to persist beyond that.
Storm Warning Issued for All North Bengal Districts
A storm warning has been issued for all districts of north Bengal on Tuesday. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar are forecast to receive heavy rain through Wednesday and Thursday. Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar are expected to see continued heavy rainfall on Friday as well, indicating that north Bengal faces a more prolonged spell of unsettled weather compared to the south.
Waterlogging and Traffic Disruption in Kolkata
Waterlogging was reported on several roads in Kolkata on Tuesday morning following overnight rain, slowing traffic movement on major arterials. The IMD has warned of waterlogging in low-lying areas across the state as the rain continues. On Monday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 31.06 degrees Celsius — 0.09 degrees below normal — while the minimum stood at 27.07 degrees Celsius, 1.01 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 78% and 94%.
What the Low-Pressure System Means
Low-pressure systems over Gangetic West Bengal are a recurring feature of the monsoon season, often drawing moisture from the Bay of Bengal and intensifying rainfall across both north and south Bengal. This system has triggered thunderstorms in several southern districts since Monday, and forecasters indicate north Bengal will remain under weather stress for several more days even as conditions in the south gradually improve from Wednesday.
Point of View
Odisha, and the northwest Bay of Bengal is a textbook late-monsoon intensifier, but the asymmetry in its impact is worth noting. South Bengal gets two days of disruption; north Bengal — already among India's most flood-vulnerable sub-regions — faces a multi-day spell with no clear exit in sight for Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. These are districts where infrastructure response to waterlogging and landslide risk remains chronically under-resourced. The storm warning issued for all north Bengal districts is the kind of alert that demands proactive district-level mobilisation, not just meteorological bulletins.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it raining heavily in Kolkata and West Bengal right now?
An active low-pressure system situated over Gangetic West Bengal, adjoining Odisha and the northwest Bay of Bengal, is driving the heavy rainfall. The system has been triggering thunderstorms across southern districts since Monday, 1 September, and is expected to keep conditions unsettled through Wednesday.
Which districts in West Bengal are under a rain or storm warning?
In south Bengal, Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum are under heavy rain alerts for Tuesday. In north Bengal, a storm warning covers all districts, with Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar facing heavy rain through Thursday and Friday.
When will the rain ease in south Bengal?
The heavy rain warning for south Bengal is expected to lift after Wednesday. Scattered light to moderate rain and thunderstorms may continue beyond that, but the most intense spell is forecast to pass by midweek.
How long will north Bengal face heavy rain?
North Bengal is expected to remain under unsettled weather for several more days. Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar face heavy rainfall forecasts through Friday, making it a more prolonged event than what south Bengal is experiencing.
Is there a risk of waterlogging in Kolkata?
Yes. Waterlogging was already reported on several Kolkata roads on Tuesday morning following overnight rain. The IMD has specifically warned of waterlogging in low-lying areas as heavy rain continues through Wednesday.
