Kolkata, 23 August (H.S.): West Bengal continued to experience cloudy and rainy weather on Sunday, with several parts of South Bengal receiving intermittent showers since the early morning. Kharagpur and West Midnapore have been witnessing occasional rain since around 6 am, while light drizzle was reported from Bishnupur. Bankura, Ghatal, Jhargram and Daspur remained under dense cloud cover from the early hours.

Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly also experienced largely cloudy conditions, with temperatures ranging between around 28 and 35 degrees Celsius. High humidity levels of over 80 percent have added to the discomfort. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and sudden heavy showers is likely in these areas during the next few hours.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore, most parts of all districts in South Bengal are likely to receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers on Sunday. Gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph may occur at some places.

Heavy rainfall is likely at one or two locations in both Midnapore districts, Jhargram and South 24 Parganas, with rainfall amounts potentially reaching 7-11 cm.

North Bengal is also expected to receive light to moderate rain and thunderstorms at several places. Lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are possible in some areas.

The weather department said a cyclonic circulation has developed over the upper atmosphere near the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast in the northern Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the region within the next 24 hours, which could further increase rainfall activity across the state.

According to the Alipore weather centre's forecast, rainfall is likely to continue across most districts of South Bengal on Monday as well. Heavy rain may occur at one or two places in Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey