South Bengal, Kolkata rain forecast: 4-5 more days of heavy showers ahead
Synopsis
A cyclonic circulation over gangetic West Bengal and a north-shifted monsoon axis are set to keep south Bengal and Kolkata drenched for up to five more days. With Orange Alerts active in three districts and fishermen barred from the sea, the RMC's warning signals this is no ordinary monsoon shower — it is a sustained, system-driven deluge.
Key Takeaways
RMC Kolkata forecast 4-5 more days of rain across south Bengal and Kolkata from 11 July .
Orange Alert issued for East Burdwan , Nadia , and Bankura districts for heavy to very heavy rain.
Yellow Alert active in all south Bengal districts; scattered heavy rain expected in Birbhum , Hooghly , North 24 Parganas , and Howrah .
Fishermen banned from going to sea on Saturday and Sunday due to rough conditions.
Orange Alert also in force in Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri , and Alipurduar through Sunday.
Kolkata's maximum temperature on Friday was 28.6°C , a full 4.2°C below normal , with humidity peaking at 98% .
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Alipore, Kolkata on Saturday, 11 July forecast continued heavy rainfall across south Bengal districts and Kolkata for the next four to five days, extending a wet spell that has gripped the region since Sunday, 5 July. Strengthening monsoon winds and a persistent low-pressure system are driving the prolonged downpour.
Weather Alerts in Force
A Yellow Alert for rain has been issued across all districts of south Bengal. An Orange Alert — warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall — is in effect for East Burdwan, Nadia, and Bankura districts on Saturday. Scattered heavy rain is also predicted in Birbhum, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah, while Kolkata itself is likely to see moderate rain through the day.
What Is Driving the Rain
Habibur Rahman Biswas, Eastern Regional Director of RMC, said, 'There is a cyclone circulation over gangetic West Bengal and Bangladesh. The monsoon axis extends from Rajasthan to Mizoram in north-eastern India. Since the low pressure axis is slightly north, the intensity of rain will be higher in Bengal.' He added that fishermen have been banned from venturing into the sea on Saturday and Sunday due to rough sea conditions.
North Bengal Also on Alert
Upper districts of north Bengal are bracing for heavy to very heavy rain as well. A Yellow Alert is active across all north Bengal districts, while an Orange Alert remains in force in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar through Sunday. These hill and foothills districts are particularly vulnerable to landslides and flash flooding during sustained heavy rain events.
Temperature and Humidity in Kolkata
On Friday, Kolkata's maximum temperature was recorded at 28.6 degrees Celsius, which is 4.2 degrees below normal — a significant dip reflecting the dense cloud cover. The minimum temperature stood at 26.8 degrees Celsius, marginally 0.1 degrees below normal. Relative humidity remained extremely high, ranging between 95% and 98%, making conditions feel oppressively muggy despite the cooler temperatures.
What to Expect Over the Next Five Days
Scattered light to moderate rain is likely to continue across south Bengal for the next four to five days. This comes amid a broader active monsoon phase over eastern India, with the monsoon trough positioned favourably for sustained precipitation. Residents and commuters in low-lying areas of Kolkata and surrounding districts should remain alert to waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The RMC is expected to review alerts as the low-pressure system evolves.
Point of View
Not routine monsoon noise. A cyclonic circulation sitting over gangetic West Bengal combined with a north-shifted monsoon axis is a textbook recipe for prolonged, intense rainfall — and the 4.2-degree dip in Kolkata's maximum temperature underscores how deep the cloud cover has become. What mainstream coverage tends to underplay is the compounding risk: five consecutive days of heavy rain on already-saturated ground raises flood and landslide risk sharply in Darjeeling and the foothills, where the Orange Alert is equally active. The fishermen's sea ban is a practical indicator of how seriously the RMC is treating current sea-state conditions.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many more days of heavy rain are predicted for Kolkata and south Bengal?
The RMC has forecast four to five more days of rain for Kolkata and south Bengal districts from 11 July, prolonging a wet spell that began on 5 July. Scattered light to moderate rain is expected to persist through the period.
Which districts are under Orange Alert in West Bengal?
East Burdwan, Nadia, and Bankura in south Bengal are under Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rain on Saturday. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar in north Bengal are also under Orange Alert, with the warning remaining in force through Sunday.
Why is rainfall so intense in Bengal right now?
According to RMC Eastern Regional Director Habibur Rahman Biswas, a cyclonic circulation over gangetic West Bengal and Bangladesh, combined with a monsoon axis extending from Rajasthan to Mizoram and a low-pressure axis positioned slightly to the north, is intensifying rainfall over Bengal specifically.
Are fishermen allowed to go to sea this weekend?
No. Fishermen have been banned from venturing into the sea on Saturday and Sunday due to rough sea conditions associated with the current weather system.
What were the temperature and humidity levels in Kolkata on Friday?
Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 28.6 degrees Celsius on Friday — 4.2 degrees below normal — and a minimum of 26.8 degrees Celsius, marginally below normal. Relative humidity was extremely high, ranging between 95% and 98%.
