Bay system to strengthen into deep depression, heavy rain alert in South Bengal
Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression, bringing heavy rainfall across several districts of South Bengal over the next few days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.
According to the Met department, a combination of cyclonic circulation and the low-pressure system has created adverse weather conditions over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of West Bengal. The Met Office has issued a warning for rough sea conditions and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until August 15.
According to weather officials, wind speeds are expected to range between 50 kmph and 70 kmph from Thursday onwards, prompting authorities to urge coastal communities and fishermen to remain on high alert and closely monitor weather advisories.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata has forecast widespread rainfall across South Bengal for the next three days. While North Bengal is expected to receive comparatively less rainfall, weather activity is likely to intensify there over the weekend.
Habibur Rahman Biswas, Director of the Eastern Region at the RMC, said the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to deepen into a depression, increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall across South Bengal till Saturday. Sea conditions are expected to remain rough during this period, he said.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts on Thursday. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely in most districts of South Bengal. The yellow warning for heavy rain will remain in force in coastal and western districts through Friday. Rainfall activity is expected to ease on Saturday and Sunday, with only isolated light showers forecast and no major weather warning in place.
In North Bengal, no heavy rainfall warning has been issued for Thursday. However, Malda, Dakshin Dinajpur and Uttar Dinajpur districts are under a yellow alert for light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms. Isolated heavy showers are also likely in parts of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. Other districts may witness light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph.
Kolkata is likely to witness thunderstorms and moderate rainfall during the day, with a yellow alert already in place for the city and adjoining areas.
On Wednesday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 31.09 degrees Celsius, marginally below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 27.09 degrees Celsius, around one degree above the seasonal average.
–IANS
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