Widespread rains forecast in Bengal

The MeT department today warned of widespread rainfall across West Bengal in the next 48 hours under the influence of a developing low pressure in north western part of Bay of Bengal.

"It is still a cyclonic circulation and is likely to form a low pressure. The indication is that the depression is likely to be formed in the north western part of Bay of Bengal, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand. We are closely observing the situation," IMD, Kolkata Director G K Das told PTI.

The low pressure, however, would not be strong but its movement would be slow through Gangetic West Bengal causing heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 cm - 20 cm) in the entire state, Das said.
 

The rainfall would continue till Monday, he said, adding that the maximum and minimum temperature during the period is likely be around 32 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius respectively.

"Under the influence of moderate to strong southwest monsoon current, there is likely to be strong southwesterly wind speed between 35 km and 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph and rough to very rough seas along and off West Bengal coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture to the sea," Das said.

The city and the districts today witnessed widespread rainfall along with thundershower under the influence of the cyclonic circulation.

The city received over 35 mm rainfall and heavy rain that lasted for nearly one-and-half hours flooded the city roads mainly the Central part of the city including Beleghata, Central Avenue besides, Behala, Jadavpur, Southern Avenue, and Bhowanipore areas in the south.

Heavy to very heavy rain occurred at many places in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar districts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, while heavy rain occurred at isolated places of Nadia district and in places of Sikkim and Bihar, Das said.

A senior IMD official said rainfall occurred at most places over the districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Bardhaman, Purulia and North and South 24 Parganas including at many places over East and West Midnapore, Hooghly besides, at a few places over Murshidabad and Howrah districts.

Panagarh in Burdwan district recorded 61 mm, Haldia in East Midnapore 23 mm, Purulia 17 mm, and in North 24 Parganas' Salt Lake 14.2 mm, Dumdum 9 mm and Barrackpore 8 mm, he said.