The Alipore Weather office under the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for rainfall over the districts of South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur and Kolkata.
There was incessant rainfall in Kolkata and suburban areas in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday due to which many areas are now waterlogged, and public transport, including rail services severely disrupted.
Earlier, the MeT Department issued a rainfall forecast over the districts of south Bengal throughout the week. It also issued a Rainfall forecast over the districts of north Bengal also.
The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms over several districts in the southern part of West Bengal.
According to the IMD, this will be caused by a low-pressure area forming over the northeast Bay of Bengal and will continue till September 26. It has also warned people of waterlogging and traffic congestion.
In a special bulletin, the IMD said a low-pressure area has formed over the northeast of the Bay of Bengal associated with cyclonic circulation. It is likely to move northwest towards the northwestern part of the Bay of Bengal. “In view of the above low-pressure area, widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to heavy rainfall is very likely over south of Bengal,” it said.
The IMD has sounded a mix of yellow and orange alerts for several areas in West Bengal. An orange alert has been issued for the South 24 Parganas district for heavy rainfall, while a yellow alert has been issued for Kolkata, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Malda.
For 23 September, the IMD predicted heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) over one or two places in East and West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and Bankura. This will be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with 30-40kmph speed.
Light to moderate rain is likely to prevail over South Bengal, thunderstorms at a few places on September 24, 25 and 26. On 27 September, rain is likely to subside with very light to moderate rain in isolated areas.
The Met authorities also warned of severe waterlogging and inundation of low-lying areas and underpass roads. It also said that the low visibility is likely during intense rain spells, and traffic congestion might be experienced.
It advised people in these areas to take shelter in safe places during an intense downpour and avoid contact with electric poles.
With sea conditions likely to be rough, the Met advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coasts till September 27. This warning comes ahead of the festivities of Durga Puja in West Bengal, when pandals have been set up across the state featuring several themes.