Will the Met Office's Rain Forecast Affect Durga Puja in Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rain forecasted in Kolkata and South Bengal prior to Durga Puja.
- A cyclonic circulation is forming, increasing moisture.
- Thunderstorms are expected from Wednesday.
- North Bengal may see light to moderate rainfall.
- Weather conditions may affect the festive atmosphere.
Kolkata, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Meteorological Department has predicted a series of rain showers in Kolkata and various districts of south Bengal as we approach the much-anticipated Durga Puja, the state's most significant festival.
According to officials, a cyclonic circulation is forming over the northern Bay of Bengal, while another low-pressure area is expected to develop over the sea, resulting in a surge of moisture. This combination is likely to cause light to moderate rainfall in Kolkata and surrounding districts throughout this week and beyond.
Currently, the monsoon trough is extending east-south-east towards the Bay of Bengal through Bikaner, Kota, and Gopalpur. With the influx of moisture, conditions are ripe for rainfall. Some areas in North Bengal may experience heavy downpours, whereas scattered showers will persist in South Bengal, according to a spokesperson from the Met office.
Although Durga Puja officially starts on Shashthi (September 28), the festivities kick off with Mahalaya (September 21), signaling the commencement of Devi Paksha. Rain in the days leading up to these celebrations could dampen the festive mood for many.
Forecasts indicate that rain will start on Tuesday, impacting districts such as Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, East Burdwan, and Nadia, with possible thundershowers and strong winds reaching 30-40 km/h. By Wednesday, thunderstorms are anticipated across all districts in South Bengal.
In North Bengal, the intensity of rainfall has slightly diminished; however, Cooch Behar, North and South Dinajpur, and Malda are expected to experience light to moderate rain starting Tuesday. The Met Office has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms in North Bengal on the same day.
On Sunday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius, which is one degree above normal, while the minimum temperature was 27.2 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degrees above normal.