A day after thunderstorms accompanied by lightning lashed parts of south Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday forecast more rain across the region over the next 24 hours, citing favourable weather conditions.
According to the Met office, a cyclonic circulation persists over northeast Bihar and the adjoining north Bengal-Sikkim region. Coupled with a significant influx of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, these systems are expected to trigger widespread rainfall across south Bengal.
The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas over the next 24 hours. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and scattered heavy showers are also likely to continue across several parts of the state on Friday.
Habibur Rahman Biswas, Director of the Eastern Region at the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), said the monsoon axis has shifted from north Bengal to south Bengal, leading to an increase in rainfall activity across the southern districts. Kolkata is also expected to receive intermittent heavy showers today and Friday.
East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Bankura districts could receive up to 200 mm of rainfall. A yellow alert has been issued for heavy rain in seven districts, including Kolkata.
Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, East Burdwan, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly. A yellow alert for light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms remains in effect across most districts of the state.
The yellow alert for scattered heavy rainfall will remain in force across south Bengal on Friday and Saturday. While rainfall intensity is expected to ease from Sunday, light to moderate showers are likely to continue in several areas.
-(With inputs from IANS)
