Kolkata, 20 September(H.S.): South Bengal is likely to face another spell of inclement weather as a low-pressure system is expected to form over the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to several districts next week, the Alipore Meteorological Office has forecast.

The weather office said a cyclonic circulation is currently located over the North Andaman Sea, extending up to around 7.6 km above sea level. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is expected to develop and gradually move west-northwestwards. It may intensify into a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal by Monday and further strengthen into a deep depression by Tuesday.

The system is expected to move westwards and reach near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast by Wednesday morning. Its influence could trigger heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal from Tuesday through Friday.

Heavy rain is likely to begin in parts of South Bengal from Tuesday, particularly in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore. Scattered heavy rainfall is expected in several districts from Wednesday to Friday, accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. An orange alert has been issued for four districts where the impact is expected to be higher.

According to the forecast, North 24 Parganas may experience stronger spells of rain and wind on Friday and Saturday, while West Midnapore is likely to see increased activity on Thursday. South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore may receive continuous heavy rainfall from Wednesday through Saturday.

Scattered heavy rain is also possible in parts of Birbhum, East Burdwan, Murshidabad and Nadia.

The sea is expected to become increasingly rough from Monday. Winds over the east-central and adjoining northeast Bay of Bengal may reach 45-55 kmph on Monday and increase to 50-60 kmph on Tuesday. Gusts near the central Bay of Bengal could reach around 70 kmph.

Gusty winds are expected to continue through Wednesday and Thursday, with conditions gradually worsening.

Along the West Bengal coast, winds of 40-50 kmph are likely from Wednesday to Friday, resulting in rough to very rough sea conditions.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from Monday to Friday. Those already at sea have been advised to return to the coast by Monday.

Rainfall activity has temporarily decreased over North Bengal but is expected to increase again from Wednesday.

Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri may receive heavy rain from Thursday, while Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur may see heavy rainfall from Friday through Saturday.

South Dinajpur and Malda may receive scattered rain accompanied by thunderstorms, though heavy rainfall is not expected there at present.

No significant spell of heavy rainfall is forecast for Kolkata at present.

Meanwhile, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 26.4°C on Sunday morning, 0.1°C above normal. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 32.4°C on Saturday, 0.4°C below normal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey