Kolkata is likely to witness intensified monsoon showers from next week, as weather officials project stronger southerly winds to drive rainfall across South Bengal and adjacent coastal regions. Amid a slow monsoon onset this year, authorities and residents are being advised to stay vigilant as evolving weather conditions could bring consistent and widespread rain across Kolkata and surrounding districts beginning Monday.
Meteorological officials monitoring regional conditions stated that while the monsoon had arrived early in North Bengal on 29 May, its advancement over South Bengal and Kolkata has stalled. The usual arrival date for the region is 10 June, but over the past week, monsoon currents have remained static. The delay has raised concerns, especially in the context of urban water management, public health, and stormwater drainage infrastructure.
This shift, expected to be driven by atmospheric changes over the Bay of Bengal, marks a crucial phase in the city’s seasonal rainfall outlook. According to weather experts, an upcoming intensification of southerly winds is expected to enhance moisture flow inland, creating conditions for the monsoon current to advance. If the expected system forms over the Bay of Bengal early next week, it will likely combine with these strengthened winds to push the monsoon front deeper into South Bengal, including Kolkata.
This uncertainty in the rainfall pattern underscores the fragile balance urban centres like Kolkata face amid changing climatic trends. A sustained spell of intense rain could test the city’s capacity to manage drainage, particularly in older neighbourhoods where infrastructure struggles with even moderate downpours. Planners and civic officials have repeatedly flagged the need for sustainable urban water systems, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent under the influence of global warming.
Kolkata, with its dense population and outdated drainage grid, is particularly vulnerable to short bursts of high-intensity rain. Such conditions often lead to flash flooding, traffic paralysis, and waterborne disease outbreaks. The expected rains next week, if persistent, will likely renew calls for climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and equitable disaster preparedness across both high- and low-income neighbourhoods.
As city planners focus on safeguarding vulnerable zones, attention also turns to longer-term strategies. Experts argue that cities like Kolkata must shift from reactive emergency responses to proactive, sustainable flood management planning. This includes better coordination among departments, investment in green infrastructure, and public engagement in monsoon preparedness campaigns.
