Written by Sharadiya Mitra
Heavy rain is expected to hit North Bengal over the next 24 hours, even as the depression over Bangladesh has moved north-northeastwards, according to a statement issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday. Kolkata is likely to see mostly cloudy weather with moderate rain and thundershowers, the weather office indicated.
As of 8.30 am, the depression was centered over Bangladesh, approximately 40 km west-northwest of Tangail and 110 km northwest of Dhaka in Bangladesh, and about 140 km north of Berhampore and 260 km west-southwest of Shillong in India, it said.
“The system is expected to continue its north-northeastward movement and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area within the next 12 hours. Consequently, heavy rainfall is very likely over North Bengal during the next 24 hours,” the IMD bulletin stated.
“Due to favourable wind patterns and strong moisture inflow, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, along with heavy rainfall, are anticipated over North Bengal for the subsequent two days. Additionally, some districts of South Bengal are likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds on May 31,” it added.
Kolkata received 13.5 mm of rain from 6.30 am on Thursday to 6.30 am on Friday. Though the highest temperature on Thursday was 29.7 degree Celsius, which is lower than normal by 5.4 degrees, the lowest temperature remained 25.6 degree Celsius, which is 1.6 degrees less than average. Humidity levels were high, with the maximum relative humidity at 98 per cent and the minimum at 83 per cent.
After heavy showers in South Bengal on Thursday, the IMD issued a ‘yellow’ alert in some districts. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely to continue at most places in South Bengal on Friday. Heavy rain of 7-11 cm, with squally winds up to 60 kmph, is extremely likely over North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Murshidabad districts.
Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon has already arrived in some areas of North Bengal, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim. The sea will continue to be rough to very rough across the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, with gusts reaching 70 kmph, weather officials said. Fishermen have been strongly advised against venturing out till Saturday.
Officials also advised citizens to remain alert for related issues in their areas, including fallen trees, damage to crops, waterlogging, and disruption of city traffic. Low visibility and risk of landslides continue in North Bengal’s hill districts, and locals are advised to follow official alerts and stay away from flooded areas.
(Sharadiya Mitra is an intern with The Indian Express)