Since Tuesday, steady rains have been drenching Kolkata and several districts across South Bengal, with overcast skies and intermittent drizzles occasionally turning into heavy downpours. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the rains are expected to continue for the next few days due to the ongoing influence of a low-pressure system.
The weather office reported that a fresh low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, causing widespread rain across the region. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several districts, while North Bengal faces the likelihood of extremely heavy showers this week, with a red alert already in place for some districts.
The system that had formed near the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts in the west-central and adjoining northwestern Bay of Bengal has now shifted further west and weakened. The associated cyclonic circulation is currently located over southern Chhattisgarh. Additionally, a trough extends from the Konkan coast to southern Bangladesh, drawing in significant moisture from the Bay of Bengal, contributing to the current weather conditions.
For Wednesday and Thursday, light to moderate rainfall is expected across most districts of South Bengal. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecasted in districts such as East Burdwan, West Burdwan, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and East Midnapore. Isolated heavy rains are also expected in districts like Purulia, Birbhum, and Murshidabad on Thursday.
In North Bengal, similar rainy conditions are predicted. Light to moderate rainfall is expected in all districts on Wednesday and Thursday, while Darjeeling could see heavy downpours by Friday, with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in certain areas. The weather office has issued a red alert for regions including Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and North Dinajpur. Rainfall is also likely in Malda and South Dinajpur.
The meteorological department has warned of possible landslides in hill areas of North Bengal due to the heavy rains. Rising water levels in rivers and potential damage to agricultural fields are also concerns. Earlier, heavy rainfall from a previous low-pressure system caused flooding in South Bengal, with districts affected by increased water levels and dam releases from the DVC. The new system’s rains are adding to the region’s anxiety as authorities prepare for potential challenges ahead.