kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata and its adjoining districts are set to receive heavy rainfall throughout the day as a result of intensified monsoon activity over southern West Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an updated weather advisory early Tuesday morning, warning of downpours, waterlogging, and possible traffic disruptions across the city and nearby regions.

According to the IMD, a low-pressure system currently hovering over the Bay of Bengal is moving inland and has begun interacting with moist winds from the southwest, triggering widespread rain across southern Bengal. Areas such as Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas are also expected to experience intense spells of rain, accompanied by strong gusty winds in some parts.

The weather office has placed Kolkata under a 'Yellow' alert, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. The showers, already visible since the early hours of the morning, are expected to intensify by the afternoon, continuing well into the evening.

In a statement released by the Alipore Meteorological Centre, officials advised citizens to avoid waterlogged zones, remain indoors during thunderstorm periods, and avoid unnecessary travel. “The current atmospheric condition may lead to brief but intense rainfall spells that could overwhelm drainage systems and lead to urban flooding in low-lying pockets,” the bulletin warned.

Commuters in the city are likely to face delays as waterlogging on key roads such as EM Bypass, Central Avenue, and parts of Behala and Jadavpur may disrupt normal traffic flow. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has already deployed teams with pumps and de-watering equipment in areas known for chronic water accumulation.

“We are prepared with emergency response units across all boroughs. Citizens are advised to reach out to our helplines for any waterlogging or tree-fall incidents,” said a KMC spokesperson.

Rail and air services, so far, remain operational but delays cannot be ruled out, especially if weather conditions deteriorate further. The Eastern Railway has announced that it is keeping close watch on tracks, especially those running through flood-prone zones.

Particularly those living in ground-floor apartments or areas near canals, have begun making precautionary arrangements. Many schools have shifted to online classes for the day, and some offices have allowed work-from-home options anticipating the difficult commute.

Weather experts noted that the rainfall is consistent with the early monsoon pattern observed over eastern India in mid-June. “This is typical monsoon behaviour influenced by a cyclonic circulation over the northwestern Bay of Bengal. We expect the rain to persist for the next 24 to 36 hours, gradually reducing thereafter,” said Dr. Sunetra Ghosh, a meteorologist at IMD Kolkata.

Have welcomed the rain. The timely arrival of the monsoon is expected to benefit paddy sowing and help offset early-season dry spells that had raised concerns in parts of South Bengal.

As the skies over Kolkata remain overcast and rainfall continues intermittently, the administration is urging people to stay vigilant, follow weather updates, and avoid venturing out during heavy spells unless absolutely necessary. IMD officials confirmed that another review will be conducted by evening, and fresh advisories will be issued based on updated satellite inputs.

Kolkata is under rain's firm grip, and the city's residents will need to navigate another day under monsoon’s full sway, with umbrellas, raincoats, and caution in tow.