Kolkata is set for another spell of rain and thunderstorms on August 28, with the India Meteorological Department warning of gusty winds and lightning across the city. The forecast comes as monsoon activity remains active over Gangetic West Bengal, keeping transport, drainage and outdoor activity vulnerable to short-duration weather disruptions. The outlook also points to heavier conditions in the following days, increasing pressure on Kolkata’s already stressed urban drainage network.
The Kolkata rain forecast indicates a generally cloudy day with thunderstorms and rain. At Alipore, the IMD has projected a minimum temperature of around 28°C and a maximum of about 32°C. Thunderstorms may also be accompanied by gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph. Similar conditions are forecast for Dum Dum, Salt Lake and the Kolkata-Howrah area, although temperatures vary slightly across these stations.The immediate concern for residents is not simply rainfall, but how quickly the city can absorb it. Kolkata’s low-lying neighbourhoods, road corridors and areas around major transport routes can experience waterlogging when intense rain arrives faster than storm-water systems can drain it. Even relatively short spells can affect buses, taxis, pedestrians and two-wheelers, creating knock-on effects for daily commerce and commuting.
The wider weather pattern suggests the disruption may not end on Friday. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has forecast thunderstorms and lightning for Gangetic West Bengal on August 28, followed by warnings for heavy rain, thunderstorms and squalls on August 29 and continuing heavy-rain warnings through August 31.For Kolkata, this makes preparedness more important than simply tracking rainfall totals. Urban planners and disaster-management specialists have increasingly highlighted the need for functioning drains, clear roadside inlets, maintained pumping infrastructure and better protection of pedestrian routes during intense monsoon events. Reliable local alerts also matter because rainfall can vary sharply between neighbourhoods.The forecast also carries an economic dimension. Delays on roads and public transport can reduce working hours, disrupt deliveries and affect small businesses that depend on predictable movement through the city. For households, repeated waterlogging can increase travel costs and expose homes and vehicles to avoidable damage.
The Kolkata rain forecast therefore offers another reminder that monsoon resilience is closely tied to everyday urban infrastructure. With heavier rain expected in parts of Gangetic West Bengal over the next few days, attention will remain on local drainage performance, traffic movement and timely warnings as the city moves through another active phase of the monsoon.
