West Bengal braces for heavy rain, squally winds from September 22

West Bengal is set to witness a five-day spell of heavy rainfall and squally weather beginning September 22, as a weather system over the Bay of Bengal gathers strength.

A low-pressure area currently lying over the east-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining north Andaman Sea is expected to intensify into a depression on Monday, September 21. The system is then forecast to track west-northwestwards and reach the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, close to the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, by the morning of September 23.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the heaviest rainfall is likely over the coastal districts of Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas, where gusty winds could touch speeds of 40 to 50 kmph. In the remaining districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kmph are possible at one or two places until September 25.

The sub-Himalayan belt is also expected to be affected, with heavy rain forecast in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar between September 23 and 25. Thunderstorms with gusty winds are likely over Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur as well as Malda during the same period.

Sea conditions are expected to remain rough. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the deep sea along and off the West Bengal coast from September 21, and to stay off the waters from September 22 to 25. Those already at sea have been asked to return to the coast by the night of September 21.

The weather office has also flagged the possibility of surging waves, with swell waves of 0.9 to 1.1 metre height and periods of 16 to 19 seconds forecast until 20:30 hours on September 21. Boats have been asked to ply with utmost vigilance and recreational activity along the coast is to be undertaken with due care.