West Bengal is likely to face a spell of heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds from Tuesday, with the worst conditions expected between Wednesday and Friday as a low-pressure system moves across the Bay of Bengal, according to the Alipore weather office and the India Meteorological Department.
The system was located over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal on Monday. It is expected to intensify into a deep depression over the east-central Bay on Monday and into a very deep depression on Tuesday, the weather authorities said. It is forecast to move west-northwestwards towards the central and northwestern Bay of Bengal before reaching areas near the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts on Wednesday morning.
Kolkata is expected to see limited chances of rain on Monday, but the probability of showers will increase from Tuesday. Rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong gusts is likely from Wednesday to Friday. Coastal parts of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore may experience winds moving at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour.
The weather office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain in several districts. On Wednesday, South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Purulia and Jhargram may receive heavy rain. The warning is also in place for South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram on Thursday.
On Friday, heavy rain is expected in South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Birbhum, West Burdwan, Bankura, Jhargram and Purulia. Coastal parts of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore may again experience gusty winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. Conditions are expected to improve from Saturday, although isolated thunderstorms and rain may continue in some places.
North Bengal will also see changing weather conditions. Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur have been placed under a yellow warning for thunderstorms and light gusty winds on Tuesday. Heavy rain is possible in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling on Wednesday and Thursday, while parts of Jalpaiguri may receive heavy to very heavy rain on Friday. Yellow warnings have also been issued for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur on Friday, and for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur on Saturday.
Authorities have restricted fishermen from venturing into the central and northern Bay of Bengal on Monday, and from travelling to sea between September 22 and 25 because of the unsettled conditions. The weather office also said that high humidity would continue to cause discomfort even during periods of rain.
