kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata: October has arrived and the biggest festival of Bengalis, Durga Puja, is just around the corner. The rain in September had already disrupted many Puja preparations and shopping plans across Bengal. Now the big question is whether rain will once again play spoilsport during the four days of Durga Puja. Here is what the latest weather forecast from the Alipore weather office says about the situation.

According to the latest forecast, there is currently no indication that heavy rain will create major problems for Durga Puja preparations. The weather office has said that there is no significant possibility of heavy rainfall in Bengal until Mahalaya. However, parts of North Bengal may receive light to moderate rain, while some areas of South Bengal may also see isolated light showers. At the same time, the humid weather is likely to continue, meaning people may not get immediate relief from the uncomfortable heat and humidity.

Signs of a possible low-pressure area have emerged over the Bay of Bengal ahead of the Puja season. However, its exact location, movement and eventual direction are yet to become clear. Weather conditions will therefore need to be monitored closely in the coming days before any assessment can be made about its possible impact on Bengal during the festival.

Saturday, there is a slight possibility of rain in the coastal districts and adjoining areas. The main concern, however, will be increasing discomfort caused by high humidity. There is no possibility of heavy rain at present. In North Bengal, Darjeeling and the other upper districts may receive isolated light rain, but no significant spell of heavy rainfall has been forecast.

The withdrawal of the monsoon is also progressing. According to the weather office, the monsoon withdrawal phase is expected to begin in Bihar and Jharkhand over the next 24 hours. In Bengal, the withdrawal of the monsoon is likely to begin during the second week of October. A cyclonic circulation has also developed over Bihar and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh and Assam, adding another factor to the evolving weather pattern over eastern India.

South Bengal, there is a slight possibility of light rain today. South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and adjoining areas may receive showers, while isolated light rain cannot be ruled out in a few other districts. However, the overall possibility of rainfall is expected to remain limited.

For the time being, there is virtually no possibility of heavy rain until Thursday. The chances of rainfall are expected to remain relatively low, with only a very small possibility of isolated light showers in one or two locations in some districts. Temperatures are also not expected to undergo any major change. Instead, increasing moisture in the atmosphere is likely to make the weather feel more uncomfortable.

North Bengal is expected to see comparatively greater rainfall activity today and tomorrow, particularly across the upper districts. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri may experience isolated light showers. The rainfall is not expected to be widespread or particularly heavy during this period.

On Sunday, the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by rain will be comparatively higher in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Kalimpong. From Monday, however, rainfall activity is expected to decrease again across North Bengal.

The weather in Kolkata is also likely to remain humid and uncomfortable. High levels of moisture in the air could lead to increased sweating and discomfort, although isolated showers may provide temporary relief in some areas. The city is expected to see partly cloudy skies initially, with cloud cover likely to increase as the day progresses.

There is a slight possibility of one or two spells of light rain in Kolkata, and isolated light showers accompanied by thunder and lightning cannot be ruled out. However, there is no forecast of heavy rainfall in the city.

From Sunday onwards, the possibility of scattered rain in Kolkata is expected to gradually decrease. Despite this, moisture levels in the air will remain high, which could keep humidity-related discomfort elevated.

The minimum temperature in Kolkata today is expected to remain around 27.7 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 32.4 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity in the city has remained between 63 and 96 per cent.

For those making plans for Durga Puja, the latest forecast therefore offers some relief for now. Heavy rainfall is not currently expected to disrupt preparations, although the developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal remains something to watch. With the monsoon withdrawal expected to begin in Bengal only during the second week of October, weather conditions could continue to change as the Puja season approaches.

For the moment, however, the forecast does not indicate a prolonged spell of heavy rain across Bengal. The bigger concern in the immediate term is likely to be humidity and occasional light showers rather than widespread downpours. As the Puja dates draw closer, the weather office is expected to provide more specific forecasts that will offer a clearer picture of the conditions during the festival.