Kolkata, 14 August (H.S.): A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has brought significant changes to West Bengal’s weather, with widespread rainfall forecast for all districts of South Bengal on Thursday and a heavy rain alert issued for five districts in North Bengal, including Darjeeling.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the low-pressure area over the west-central and north-west Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify over the next two days and move towards the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts. As a result, several parts of North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, and Jhargram are likely to witness thunderstorms with rain on Friday, accompanied by wind speeds of 30–40 kmph.

In Kolkata, skies will remain mostly overcast on Thursday with light rainfall in several areas. The likelihood of thunderstorms with rain over the next 24 hours is high. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 26.2°C on Thursday and a maximum of 32.5°C on Wednesday, with 17.9 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.

Rainfall intensity is expected to ease by Saturday, though scattered light to moderate showers may continue in districts such as Nadia, Murshidabad, and Birbhum. Rain is forecast to diminish further on Sunday and Monday.

In North Bengal, heavy rain warnings have been issued for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri districts, while Malda and both North and South Dinajpur are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall. Though rainfall is expected to reduce slightly on Friday and Saturday, weather conditions may worsen again from Sunday.

Continuous rain has raised fears of landslides in the hilly regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and there is a risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas of Siliguri and its surroundings. The Met department has advised residents in vulnerable areas, underpasses, and near riverbanks to remain cautious. Visibility is also expected to drop sharply during heavy downpours.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh