Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday forecast light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds across the districts of south Bengal till Sunday, while issuing a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in parts of north Bengal.
According to weather officials, a low-pressure area that formed over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh on Friday has moved to the northwest Bay of Bengal and remains active. In addition, an associated trough extending from Haryana to the northwest Bay of Bengal through Jharkhand and West Bengal is influencing weather conditions across the state.
Under its impact, south Bengal is expected to receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph through the weekend. The intensity of rainfall is likely to decrease thereafter.
The Met Office has also advised fishermen against venturing into the Bay of Bengal coast due to adverse weather conditions.
In north Bengal, a yellow warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for several districts. On Saturday, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri are expected to receive heavy rain, while thunderstorms and moderate rainfall are likely in the remaining districts.
On Sunday, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are expected to witness heavy showers. The weather department said rainfall activity in north Bengal is likely to weaken from Monday.
“There is no warning of very heavy rainfall. However, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places across all districts,” a Met department official said.
Kolkata is likely to witness intermittent light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms during the weekend, with gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph. While rainfall activity is expected to decline from Sunday, humidity-related discomfort may persist due to high moisture levels in the atmosphere.
The minimum temperature recorded in Kolkata on Friday was 24.5 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees below normal, while the maximum temperature settled at 29.8 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees below normal. The city received 45.3 mm of rainfall during the previous 24 hours. Relative humidity levels ranged between 78 and 98 per cent.
