Heavy rain, thunderstorm alert for south Bengal districts in next 24 hours
Synopsis
Four people were already dead from Wednesday's lightning strikes in West Midnapore when the RMC issued fresh orange and yellow alerts for south Bengal on Thursday — with up to 200 mm of rain possible in three districts and a monsoon axis shift pushing the worst of the weather southward. The weekend offers little relief, with alerts running through Saturday.
Key Takeaways
The RMC issued an orange warning of very heavy rain for East Midnapore , West Midnapore , and Bankura on 6 August , with up to 200 mm of rainfall possible.
A yellow warning of heavy rain is active in seven districts , including Kolkata , Howrah , and Hooghly .
Four people were killed in lightning strikes in West Midnapore on Wednesday.
A cyclonic circulation over northeast Bihar and a Bay of Bengal moisture surge have shifted the monsoon axis southward into south Bengal.
Yellow alerts for scattered heavy rain will remain through Saturday ; rain is expected to ease from Sunday .
The Met office has advised farmers to stay off agricultural land during approaching thunderstorms.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on Thursday, 6 August issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several south Bengal districts over the next 24 hours, following Wednesday's severe thunderstorm and lightning strikes that killed four people in West Midnapore. A combination of a cyclonic circulation and strong Bay of Bengal moisture inflow has created conditions for intensified rainfall across the state.
Weather Systems Driving the Rain
According to the RMC, a cyclonic circulation is currently active over northeast Bihar and the adjoining north Bengal-Sikkim region. A large surge of moisture from the Bay of Bengal has compounded the effect, shifting the monsoon axis southward. RMC Eastern Region Director Habibur Rahman Biswas said the axis shift means rainfall will intensify across south Bengal in the coming days.
'There will be very heavy rain in south Bengal tomorrow. There will be light to moderate rain in some districts. On the other hand, very heavy rain is predicted in north Bengal today,' Biswas said.
District-Level Alerts and Warnings
An orange warning of very heavy rain has been issued for two districts on Thursday, with East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Bankura facing the possibility of up to 200 millimetres of scattered rainfall. A yellow warning of heavy rain is in effect for seven districts, including Kolkata.
Heavy rain at isolated places is expected in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, East Burdwan, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly. A yellow alert for light to moderate rain with thundershowers remains in place across nearly all districts of the state.
Lightning Deaths and Safety Advisory
The storm's human toll was already visible on Wednesday, when four people were killed in lightning strikes in West Midnapore district. The Met office has specifically urged farmers to vacate agricultural land when thunderstorms approach, underscoring the rural vulnerability to lightning events during active monsoon spells.
Outlook for the Coming Days
The yellow alert for scattered heavy rain across south Bengal will remain active through Friday and Saturday. Rainfall is expected to ease from Sunday, though light to moderate scattered showers will persist. In Kolkata, moderate rain with isolated heavy spells is forecast for Thursday, with lighter activity expected by Friday and a gradual reduction from Saturday.
On Wednesday, Kolkata's maximum temperature was recorded at 30.06 degrees Celsius — 1.04 degrees below normal — while the minimum stood at 26.07 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal. As alerts remain in force, authorities are urging residents across affected districts to stay vigilant through the weekend.
Point of View
But the gap between a district-level orange alert and a farmer in a paddy field receiving it in time remains dangerously wide. With the monsoon axis now parked over south Bengal and Bay of Bengal moisture feeding the system, this is not a routine spell — and the death toll could rise if ground-level dissemination does not improve.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in south Bengal are under orange rain warning on 6 August?
East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Bankura are under an orange warning of very heavy rain on 6 August, with scattered rainfall of up to 200 millimetres possible. Two districts have been specifically placed under the orange alert by the RMC.
Why is south Bengal receiving heavy rain right now?
A cyclonic circulation active over northeast Bihar and the adjoining north Bengal-Sikkim region, combined with a large moisture influx from the Bay of Bengal, has shifted the monsoon axis southward. RMC Director Habibur Rahman Biswas confirmed this shift is the primary driver of intensified rainfall in south Bengal.
How many people died in Wednesday's thunderstorm in West Bengal?
Four people were killed in lightning strikes in West Midnapore district during Wednesday's thunderstorm. The Met office has since urged residents, especially farmers, to avoid agricultural land when thunderstorms approach.
How long will the heavy rain continue in south Bengal?
Yellow alerts for scattered heavy rain are in place through Friday and Saturday. Rainfall is expected to gradually reduce from Sunday, though light to moderate scattered showers will continue beyond that.
Is Kolkata under a rain alert?
Yes, Kolkata is under a yellow warning of heavy rain, with moderate rain and isolated heavy spells expected on Thursday. Lighter activity is forecast for Friday, with a gradual reduction from Saturday.
