IMD Warns of Heavy Rain in North Bengal; Thunderstorms Likely in South
IIE Digital Desk: West Bengal is still experiencing monsoon activity, and several districts in North Bengal are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall until August 5, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while South Bengal will likely face showers, thunderstorms for several days followed by gusty winds. According to the weather department, residents in at-risk areas are being warned to be cautious as prolonged rainfall may cause waterlogging and potentially dangerous landslides.
Districts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are expected to experience heavy rainfall, according the IMD. In isolated areas, extremely heavy rainfall can cause flash floods, overflowing rivers and landslides; especially in the Himalayan and sub-Himalayanian areas. Tourists and residents have been cautioned by officials to be cautious while passing through the hilly regions.
Conversely, South Bengal, which encompasses Kolkata and its surrounding regions, is expected to experience light to moderate precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. There is no guarantee of extensive flooding, but some areas may encounter sporadic heavy showers and thunderstorm conditions with gusts of 30-40 kmph. Despite warnings, the IMD cautioned that the prolonged rainfall could negatively impact transport infrastructure and water usage in urban areas, as well as disrupt farming practices on low-lying land masses.
In North Bengal, where heavy rain has caused landslides and swollen rivers throughout history centuries ago, disaster management authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Local authorities have been urged to remain alert during emergencies and closely monitor areas that are at risk. The community has been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall and to comply with official weather warnings.
Expect a wet spell for the first week of August as meteorologists predict rain over North Bengal will be above-average. The occasional shower in South Bengal is anticipated to alleviate the humid weather, but also increase the risk of temporary waterlogging in certain urban areas.
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