Written by Parthivee Mukherji

North Bengal is bracing for another spell of intense rainfall as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “very heavy rain” warning for Monday. This comes after three days of sporadic heavy downpours that are expected to continue through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri.

Meanwhile, residents of South Bengal can expect some relief as the chances of rain are forecast to decrease on Sunday and Monday, though light rain may continue.

On Friday, the IMD in their mid-day bulletin issued yellow alerts for most South Bengal districts including Kolkata, Howrah, and Bankura, for August 9 and 10. The department also issued an orange alert for Purulia on August 9. These warnings are issued due to prevailing thunderstorm conditions, heavy rainfall (7-20cm), and gusty winds up to 40 kmph.

Fishermen on the southern coast are advised not to venture out along the West Bengal-Odisha coast for the next day until Saturday. The IMD has also warned of possible waterlogging and lightning activity.

Along with this, for North Bengal, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata has issued a mix of yellow and orange alerts. The districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, and Alipurduar have been issued orange alerts for August 9 and 12, with Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar having an orange alert for August 13 as well. The yellow alerts are scattered, with some districts like Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar having alerts for the entirety of the upcoming week. Other districts with the yellow alert include Malda, Coochbehar, Uttar Dinajpur, and Dakshin Dinajpur.

(Parthivee Mukherji is an intern with The Indian Express)