Written by Shambhavi Pandey
The India Meteorological Department has issued yellow and orange alerts for Sunday for parts of West Bengal, where thunderstorm activity intensified on Saturday. The low-pressure system that brought heavy rain has moved further away, gradually weakening and inching northwest towards Bihar and indicating a reprieve from intense downpours for now.
However, next week could bring increased rainfall, especially to the coastal and western districts of South Bengal. This is due to the potential formation of another cyclonic circulation in the north Bay of Bengal. But other districts of South Bengal are expected to see less rain for the next two to three days.
Scattered heavy rain is likely in several districts from Tuesday to Thursday, according to the IMD. Thunderstorms and rain are likely in East-West Burdwan, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Birbhum, and Murshidabad districts. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected in Kolkata and other districts. Thunderstorms with lightning are forecast for Nadia and North and South 24 Parganas districts. These areas could also experience stronger winds, with gusts reaching 40 to 50 kmph.
The IMD is keeping a close eye on a low-pressure area currently stretching east-west from Bihar, over Gangetic West Bengal, and into Assam.
On Sunday, a yellow alert was issued for parts of East Burdwan, Hooghly, Howrah, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, and Nadia, where light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, rain, and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph were expected.
Similar conditions have been forecast for Cooch Behar in North Bengal. By mid-morning, an orange alert was issued for East Burdwan, Nadia, and North 24 Parganas, where intense thunderstorm activity with lightning and strong winds was predicted. Yellow alerts followed for West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and districts further south and west, including Purulia, Bankura, and West Midnapore.
Storm alerts continued throughout the morning and into the early afternoon, with scattered thunderstorm warnings issued for South 24 Parganas and Hooghly. North Bengal also saw a return of weather activity, with yellow alerts issued for districts like North and South Dinajpur by late morning.
The author is an intern with The Indian Express.