kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata | July 18 : Heavy rainfall is expected to lash several districts of North Bengal over the next few days, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for some areas. While North Bengal is likely to experience intense monsoon activity through the weekend, South Bengal is expected to receive only scattered showers accompanied by thunderstorms in isolated places.

The Alipore Meteorological Department, the monsoon has become particularly active over North Bengal, significantly increasing the likelihood of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts. The weather office has warned that the prevailing conditions could lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas, localized flooding, and disruptions to normal life, especially in districts placed under the highest level of weather warning.

A red alert has been issued for Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, where extremely heavy rainfall is likely to continue until Sunday. The IMD has advised residents in these districts to remain cautious, as persistent rainfall may trigger flooding, landslides in vulnerable areas, and transport disruptions.

The red alert districts, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Cooch Behar are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during the same period. Meteorologists have indicated that all districts across North Bengal are likely to witness intermittent heavy showers until Wednesday as the monsoon system remains active over the Himalayan foothills.

South Bengal will continue to experience scattered rainfall over the coming days, although widespread heavy rain is not expected. The weather department has forecast intermittent rain and thunderstorms across the region until Thursday, with varying intensity from district to district.

Several districts, including East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Jhargram, Birbhum, and Murshidabad, are expected to receive scattered rain accompanied by thunderstorms until Monday. While the rainfall in these areas is unlikely to be as intense as in North Bengal, residents have been advised to remain alert during periods of thunderstorm activity.

Tuesday onwards, rainfall intensity is expected to increase in parts of South Bengal. The IMD has forecast the possibility of heavy rainfall in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Nadia, where localized heavy showers could temporarily affect normal movement and daily activities.

Kolkata, only scattered showers are expected over the next few days, with no forecast of widespread or heavy rainfall. The city is likely to remain under generally cloudy skies with occasional rain spells, providing some relief from humid weather but without any significant weather-related disruption.

On Saturday morning, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius, which was 0.8 degrees above normal for this time of the year. The weather office said humidity levels are likely to remain high despite intermittent rain, keeping conditions warm and uncomfortable between showers.

The IMD has advised residents, particularly those living in North Bengal, to closely monitor official weather updates and exercise caution in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides. Authorities are also expected to keep disaster response teams on standby in view of the heavy rainfall forecast, while travelers have been urged to check weather conditions before undertaking journeys to the hill districts.

The southwest monsoon remaining active across eastern India, meteorologists expect the current spell of rain to continue for several more days, bringing significant rainfall to North Bengal while South Bengal experiences a comparatively milder phase of the monsoon with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.