KalimNews, Kolkata, July 9, 2025 : A low-pressure area over Gangetic Bengal, intensified by the ongoing monsoon, has been wreaking havoc across South Bengal, including Kolkata, since early Tuesday, with incessant heavy rain and gusty winds disrupting normal life. As a result of the continuous downpour, several parts of the state, including the city of Kolkata, have been severely affected, with widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore has issued a forecast predicting thunderstorms and gusty winds to persist in many parts of South Bengal until Wednesday.
In its forecast, the MeT Department has predicted that the heavy rainfall will continue in Purulia and Jhargram, two western districts of the state, over the next 24 hours. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall is expected in several parts of southern West Bengal, with more downpours anticipated in these regions for the next 48 hours. The weather office also predicted heavy rainfall in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts of North Bengal. The weather is expected to gradually improve from Thursday onwards.
On the city streets, the relentless rainfall has caused severe waterlogging in multiple areas, including Central Avenue, Muktarambabu Street, College Street, Kasba, Tollygunge, Garia, Nayabad, Jadavpur, Picnic Garden, Jodhpur Park, Behala, Shyambazar, Ultadanga, Dhakuria, Ballygunge, and parts of the EM Bypass. Low-lying areas of Salt Lake and Howrah also reported significant waterlogging, severely disrupting daily commuting and activities. The city’s already stressed drainage system was unable to cope with the volume of water, leading to widespread traffic jams and delays.
Due to the squally weather caused by the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The low-pressure system, which has been influencing the region since July 8, has caused surface wind speeds to reach 35-45 km/h, gusting up to 55 km/h along the Bengal-Odisha coast and in the northern Bay of Bengal. The sea conditions are expected to remain rough to very rough for the next few days, making it unsafe for maritime activities.
As per the weather department’s warning, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely to continue across the southern and central parts of West Bengal, with heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) expected at one or two places in West Burdwan, Purulia, Jhargram, and Bankura districts of South Bengal. Thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 km/h and lightning are expected across all districts of South Bengal during this period.
The MeT Department also issued a similar forecast for North Bengal, including the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, where moderate to heavy rains, accompanied by thunderstorms, are expected. The ongoing weather conditions have prompted the weather office to advise people in these areas to stay in safe places during thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to avoid any risk of accidents.
In its long-term forecast, the MeT Department has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers to continue across the region for the next week, lasting until July 16. This weather pattern is expected to affect both South Bengal and North Bengal, with widespread rainfall expected in several districts, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur, Malda, and others.
The weather office also highlighted that the low-pressure system over Gangetic Bengal is expected to persist, potentially prolonging the current weather conditions until the middle of the week. As the system continues to cause turbulent weather, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, especially in vulnerable areas prone to waterlogging and flooding.
With the situation expected to worsen in the coming days, residents across the state, particularly those in flood-prone areas, have been advised to stay alert and follow safety precautions.
