Bengal braces for intense rain and storms; Orange alert issued in 3 districts

West Bengal continues to experience heavy rainfall as a cyclone over Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha intensifies the monsoon. The northward shift of the monsoon axis has increased humidity across the state, expanding rainfall coverage. Friday and Saturday are expected to witness heavier rain with winds blowing at 30 to 40 km per hour.

The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for 11 districts including Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura. Orange alerts have been declared for Bankura, Purulia, and West Medinipur. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Bardhaman, Nadia, Murshidabad, and Birbhum are likely to experience rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.

In North Bengal, Malda, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, North and South Dinajpur, and Cooch Behar are expected to see rain with strong winds. Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri may receive 7 to 11 centimeters of rainfall, which can raise river levels in Teesta, Torsa, and Jaldhaka, posing flood risks in low-lying areas. Hilly regions including Darjeeling and Kalimpong face possible landslides. Coastal areas along North Bengal Bay and West Bengal’s coast report rough sea conditions, and fishermen have been prohibited from venturing into deep waters.