Kolkata, 29 August(H. S.): A fresh low-pressure area is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal, triggering another spell of rain and thunderstorms across large parts of West Bengal. The weather department has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts of South Bengal. Kolkata is also likely to receive rain, while rainfall activity may increase again in North Bengal.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Office, a cyclonic circulation is currently prevailing over the north Bay of Bengal and extends up to around 7.6 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form near the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha on Saturday.

The monsoon trough is extending from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar before entering West Bengal. From Bankura, it is turning southwards and extending towards the Bay of Bengal. This weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of South Bengal over the next few days.

The weather department has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Kolkata, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas on Saturday. Heavy rain is likely to continue in Howrah and South 24 Parganas until Sunday.

Meanwhile, East Midnapore and West Midnapore are likely to receive very heavy rainfall on Sunday, with rainfall totals potentially ranging between 7 and 20 cm. Heavy rain is also expected in Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura on Monday and Tuesday. Other districts of South Bengal may receive scattered rainfall, although the possibility of heavy rain there is currently low.

According to the weather department, rainfall and thunderstorm activity over South Bengal is likely to gradually decrease after Tuesday.

North Bengal may also witness an increase in rainfall. Scattered rain is expected across all districts of North Bengal on Saturday. Jalpaiguri may receive heavy rain on Sunday, while Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Alipurduar are likely to experience heavy rainfall of around 7 to 11 cm on Monday.

Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 27.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, which was 0.6 degrees above normal. The city's maximum temperature on Friday was 32.6 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degrees below normal.

The weather department has advised residents to remain alert as the developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal could influence rainfall patterns across the state over the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey