Red alert for north Bengal rain till Monday; south Bengal showers from Tuesday
Synopsis
A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has triggered red alerts across north Bengal, with Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar facing extremely heavy rain through the weekend. The system is not done — south Bengal, including Kolkata, is next in line from Tuesday, with gusty thunderstorms forecast through Friday.
Key Takeaways
RMC Alipore issued a red alert for north Bengal on 18 July , valid through Monday .
Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are forecast to receive extremely heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday.
South Bengal , including Kolkata , faces intensifying moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms from Tuesday through Friday .
A well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and a monsoon trough stretching from Punjab to West Bengal are driving the system.
Fishermen warned against venturing into the sea off the West Bengal coast due to winds of 35–45 kmph , gusting to 55 kmph .
Kolkata recorded a minimum of 27.7°C on Saturday, 0.8°C above normal ; Friday's maximum was 31°C , 1.8°C below normal .
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Alipore on Saturday, 18 July issued a red alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across north Bengal districts through Monday, while also forecasting a significant uptick in rain activity across south Bengal, including Kolkata, beginning Tuesday. The warning covers multiple districts and extends fishing restrictions along the West Bengal coast.
North Bengal on High Alert
Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts are likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday. The Met office has additionally warned of heavy to very heavy rain in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, and neighbouring districts along the Himalayan foothills through Monday. Although rainfall activity is expected to ease marginally from Tuesday, a heavy rain alert remains in effect for Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong through Wednesday.
South Bengal Braces for Intensifying Showers
Scattered rainfall will continue across south Bengal districts until Tuesday, after which moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms is forecast to intensify and persist through Friday. North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Nadia districts are expected to bear the brunt of heavy showers on Tuesday. Gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph are also likely across several south Bengal localities.
What Is Driving the Weather System
Meteorologists attributed the intensified rainfall to a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal adjoining the Odisha–West Bengal coast, with an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. The monsoon trough currently stretches from Punjab through Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal to the north Bay of Bengal, drawing substantial moisture inland and amplifying rainfall across the region.
Fishing Ban and Coastal Warning
The Met office has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea off the West Bengal coast until Saturday, citing strong winds of 35–45 kmph with gusts reaching up to 55 kmph under the influence of the prevailing weather system. Authorities have urged coastal communities to remain on alert.
Kolkata Temperature Update
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 0.8 degrees above normal. Friday's maximum temperature settled at 31 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees below normal — a reflection of the persistent cloud cover and rainfall suppressing daytime heat. Conditions are expected to remain overcast as the week progresses.
Point of View
But the combination of a Bay of Bengal low-pressure system and an unusually extended monsoon trough from Punjab to the coast is a compounding factor that warrants close watch. What often gets underreported is the downstream risk: Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar sit at the foothills where runoff from Bhutan and Sikkim converges, meaning river levels in these districts can spike faster than the rainfall alone would suggest. South Bengal's turn from Tuesday also means Kolkata's drainage infrastructure — chronically stressed during the monsoon — faces another test before the week is out.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which districts in north Bengal are under red alert for rain?
Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are forecast to receive extremely heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, while Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Cooch Behar face heavy to very heavy rain through Monday. A heavy rain alert for Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong extends through Wednesday.
When will heavy rain hit south Bengal and Kolkata?
Scattered rain continues across south Bengal until Tuesday, after which moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms is expected to intensify and persist through Friday. North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Nadia are among the districts likely to see heavy showers from Tuesday.
What is causing the heavy rainfall in West Bengal?
A well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal adjoining the Odisha–West Bengal coast, combined with a cyclonic circulation up to 5.8 km above sea level and a monsoon trough stretching from Punjab to the north Bay of Bengal, is driving the intensified rainfall activity.
Are fishermen allowed to go to sea off the West Bengal coast?
No. The Met office has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea off the West Bengal coast until Saturday, due to strong winds of 35–45 kmph with gusts up to 55 kmph linked to the prevailing weather system.
What was Kolkata's temperature on 18 July?
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 0.8 degrees above normal. Friday's maximum was 31 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees below normal, reflecting suppressed daytime heat due to cloud cover and rain.
