Severe Weather Alert: Deep Depression Over Bay of Bengal Brings Heavy Rainfall to Eastern India During Durga Puja

Kolkata experienced heavy showers on Thursday afternoon, marking the beginning of a period of intense rainfall.

A deep depression forming over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts in West Bengal until October 6 morning. Various parts of the state already witnessed showers on Thursday, putting a damper on Durga Puja festival celebrations on the culminating day of Bijoya Dashami.

According to the IMD, the weather system is very likely to move shoreward and cross between Gopalpur and Paradip along the Odisha and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coasts by Thursday night.

The overcast conditions and moderate rain, interspersed with intense downpours starting Thursday, appeared to have diminished the enthusiasm of Durga Puja revelers who had hoped to fully enjoy the final day of celebrations (Bijoya Dashami and Dussehra) in Kolkata and other south Bengal districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) at isolated locations in South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, and Jhargram districts. Additionally, heavy downpour (07-11 cm) is expected in isolated areas of Kolkata and Howrah until Friday morning.

Heavy rainfall is also anticipated in isolated places across North 24 Parganas, Bankura, Hooghly, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, and Purulia districts until the morning of October 3.

The weather system will continue to bring heavy to very heavy downpour to isolated locations in Birbhum, while heavy rain is expected in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Paschim Bardhaman, and Bankura districts on Friday.

From Friday to Sunday, the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The Met office has issued warnings to fishermen not to venture into the sea until Friday, as squally wind speeds of 45 to 55 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 65 kmph, are very likely along and off the West Bengal coast.

For Kolkata, the IMD forecast until Friday morning indicates several spells of light to moderate rain, potentially including one or two intense rain spells. Temporary waterlogging in low-lying areas of the metropolis is expected.

The deep depression over northwest Bay of Bengal has already started causing heavy rainfall in coastal Bengal areas. The seaside tourist destination of Digha recorded the state's highest 24-hour rainfall measurement at 102 mm, as recorded until 8:30 am on Thursday.

Other locations reporting significant rainfall include Sagar Island (90 mm), Kontai (70 mm), and Basirhat (70 mm), according to IMD data.