KOLKATA— The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that some districts in southern West Bengal may get heavy rain and thunderstorms just as the preparations for the Durga Puja celebrations are in full swing. The forecast, which goes until September 26, is because of a low-pressure region and a cyclonic circulation that have formed over the northeast of the Bay of Bengal.
The IMD’s special statement says that the weather system is predicted to move northwest, delivering “widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall” to the area.
Alerts Have Been Sent Out Across Districts
The IMD has placed a mix of advisories in place for numerous districts to get ready for the rain. There is an orange alert for the South 24 Parganas district, which means there will be very severe rain. For now, a yellow alert is in place for several important places, such as Kolkata, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and Malda.
The IMD has explicitly predicted heavy rain of 7 to 11 cm in one or two spots in East and West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, and Bankura on Tuesday, September 23. Thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds that can reach speeds of 30 to 40 km/h will come with the rain. The worst storms are forecast in the next 24 hours, but light to moderate rain is likely to keep falling in South Bengal until September 26, when it will stop.
A Warning for People Who Live Here and Visit
Officials have told people who live there to be careful and get ready for possible problems. Some of the cautions are:
Flooding and Traffic: Low-lying areas and underpass roads are quite likely to flood, which might cause major traffic bottlenecks.
Low Visibility: The IMD has said that heavy rain will probably make visibility low, which will make driving dangerous.
Safety Tips: During heavy rain, people should stay indoors and away from electric lines to avoid accidents.
Turbulent Sea Conditions: The Met office has also made it clear to fishermen that they should not go into the sea along and off the West Bengal coasts until September 27, when the sea is predicted to be turbulent.
This weather pattern is especially bad because it happens at the same time as the last-minute preparations for Durga Puja, one of West Bengal’s biggest celebrations, when elaborate pandals and installations are already up.