Kolkata, Aug 31 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast heavy rainfall in five districts of south Bengal over the next 24 hours due to a strengthened low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal.
Two additional districts are likely to receive heavy rain on Tuesday under the influence of the prevailing weather system.
According to the Met Office, the low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal has intensified and become more marked.
The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level. The system is expected to move west-northwestwards, while an active monsoon trough currently stretches across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal before extending into the Bay of Bengal. As a result, intermittent rainfall is likely to continue across the state over the next few days.
Heavy rainfall is expected in East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura districts on Monday. On Tuesday, a heavy rain alert has been issued for West Burdwan and Birbhum districts.
Other districts of south Bengal are likely to witness scattered thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall. Kolkata may also experience light to moderate showers during this period. The intensity of rainfall is expected to ease from Wednesday, with no weather warnings currently in place for south Bengal thereafter.
The Met Office also warned of strong winds over the sea, with speeds ranging between 40 and 50 kmph and gusts reaching up to 60 kmph at places. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the coastal waters off West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh until Monday.
Meanwhile, north Bengal is expected to continue receiving heavy rainfall. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts are likely to record heavy showers till Wednesday, while Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar will remain under a rain alert on Thursday as well. North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda districts are likely to receive scattered light to moderate rainfall.
In Kolkata, the minimum temperature on Monday was recorded at 27.7 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal, while Sunday’s maximum temperature settled at 31.8 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal.
–IANS
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