Kolkata, 2 October (H.S.): The grand Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal are set to conclude on Thursday with Vijayadashami, but celebrations may be marred by heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Kolkata and adjoining districts, warning of thunderstorms and downpours throughout the day. A red alert for fishermen has also been issued, advising them not to venture into the sea.

According to the IMD, a low-pressure system over the west-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression and is moving northwest towards the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast. By Thursday night, it is expected to make landfall between Gopalpur and Paradip in Odisha. Currently, the system is located about 230 km south of Puri, 190 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, and 250 km east of Visakhapatnam.

Kolkata, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, and both East and West Midnapore districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall of 7–11 cm on Thursday, accompanied by lightning. The warning extends to Jhargram, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Bankura, and Purulia on Friday, where heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast. In Purulia and West Bardhaman, extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated.

Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar are likely to receive heavy rain on Thursday, with the intensity increasing on Friday and Saturday. North and South Dinajpur as well as Malda are also expected to witness sharp spells of rain during this period.

Wind speeds of 50–60 kmph are likely over the central Bay of Bengal from Thursday morning to Friday, triggering rough sea conditions and high waves. The IMD has strictly advised fishermen along the Odisha and West Bengal coasts to avoid venturing into the sea until Friday.

On Thursday morning, the minimum temperature in Kolkata was recorded at 26.2°C, slightly above normal. The maximum temperature on Wednesday stood at 32.7°C. The spell of heavy rainfall is expected to continue until Sunday, raising concerns of waterlogging and disruptions in parts of the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh