Written by Debasmita Chowdhury

The Southwest Monsoon has now covered the entire state of West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed on Monday. Consequently, it has issued red alerts for several districts of South Bengal today, June 17.

The advancement is accompanied by the development of a low-pressure area over southwest Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal, which is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify by Tuesday.

On June 17, extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) is likely in isolated areas of Bankura, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Birbhum, and Hooghly. Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) is expected at one or two locations in other South Bengal districts. Meanwhile, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are likely in isolated parts of all South Bengal districts.

The intense rainfall is expected to continue into Tuesday, with extremely heavy rainfall predicted in isolated areas of Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, and Paschim Medinipur. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at one or two places over Jhargram, South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah, Birbhum, and Purba Bardhaman on June 18. The remaining districts of South Bengal are likely to receive heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) in isolated spots.

Heavy rain has already begun impacting parts of South Bengal, with Tarakeswar (Hooghly) recording 15 cm and Sagar Island logging 12 cm from Sunday to Monday. Kolkata remains under overcast conditions, with temperatures hovering around 28 and 25 degrees Celsius, and heavy rain expected through the day on June 17 and 18.

Squally weather with wind speeds of 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, is expected over coastal areas through June 18. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The IMD has hoisted Local Cautionary Signal-III (LCS-III) at Kolkata and Haldia ports, while Sectional Signal-I has been issued at Sagar Island.

(The writer is an intern with Indian Express)