Kolkata rain and thunderstorms affected the city and several parts of south Bengal on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department warning of gusty winds, further storms and rain across the region through September 20. The forecast comes after heavy rain in Salt Lake disrupted evening travel and caused traffic snarls because of waterlogging on roads.
The IMD forecast generally cloudy conditions in Kolkata, with one or two spells of rain expected till Saturday morning. It also predicted gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph across the districts of south Bengal, increasing the risk of difficult travel conditions, falling branches and localised disruption in exposed areas.
The weather office said a low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Andaman Sea on Saturday. According to the IMD, the system is expected to move towards the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts over the following three to four days. The forecast period for rain and thunderstorms across south Bengal extends till September 20.
Friday’s rainfall followed a heavier spell in Salt Lake on Thursday, when waterlogging on roads contributed to evening traffic congestion. The disruption highlighted the effect that intense bursts of rain can have on movement across Kolkata’s adjoining urban areas, particularly where drainage capacity is quickly exceeded. Traffic was lighter on Friday because of a state government holiday for Biswakarma Puja, making the impact on normal weekday commuting less visible.
IMD rainfall data showed that several locations across West Bengal received significant rain in the 24 hours till 8.30am on Friday. Alipurduar recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 105mm, while Salt Lake received 69mm. Diamond Harbour recorded 50mm, Bardhaman 45mm, Jalpaiguri 51mm and Darjeeling 41mm during the same period.
The forecast also covers north Bengal, where the IMD expected rain and thunderstorms till Saturday. Heavy rain was possible at one or two places in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri. These conditions are separate from the forecast for south Bengal but form part of the wider weather system affecting the state.
For Kolkata and its surrounding urban areas, the immediate operational concern is the combination of repeated rain, waterlogged roads and strong winds. The available forecast does not specify the exact roads or neighbourhoods likely to be affected, but Thursday’s Salt Lake disruption shows how quickly heavy rainfall can affect evening movement. The IMD’s next forecast updates will indicate whether the low-pressure system strengthens and how its movement changes rainfall conditions.
The IMD has forecast cloudy weather and possible rain in Kolkata till Saturday morning, with thunderstorms and gusty winds expected across parts of south Bengal through September 20.
