Kolkata and several parts of West Bengal are likely to see scattered rain and gusty winds through Mahalaya, but the weather is expected to improve across southern districts from Sunday before isolated showers return in some areas on Chaturthi, according to the Alipore weather office.
The forecast offers some relief for residents making travel and outdoor plans during the festival period. Light rain is possible in Kolkata and all districts of south Bengal on Friday and Saturday, including Mahalaya, although the showers are expected to remain scattered rather than occur across every location.
On Friday, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia may receive light to moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds moving at 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. The weather office has issued a yellow alert for these four districts. The warning is relevant for road users, pedestrians, temporary structures and outdoor preparations in areas affected by sudden showers and strong winds.
No district in south Bengal currently meets the conditions for a weather alert on Saturday, Mahalaya, although isolated rain remains possible. From Sunday to Tuesday, Kolkata and the other southern districts are not expected to see thunderstorms or rain, based on the forecast cited in the bulletin. The improvement could provide a clearer weather window for outdoor movement and festival-related activity.
The weather may turn unsettled again on Wednesday, which falls on Chaturthi. Light rain is forecast in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore. The forecast does not indicate that all parts of these districts will receive rain, with showers expected to remain localised.
North Bengal is expected to experience stronger weather activity on Friday. All eight districts have been placed under a yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain, with light to moderate showers and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour possible. From Mahalaya on Saturday, the intensity of the storms is expected to reduce, although some parts of all eight districts may continue to receive rain.
Darjeeling and Kalimpong could see light rain on Sunday. No further forecast for thunderstorms or rain has been indicated for north Bengal after that, according to the available bulletin.
The weather office has not yet announced when the southwest monsoon will formally withdraw from West Bengal. However, it said conditions are becoming favourable for the monsoon to retreat from further parts of eastern and northeastern India over the next three to four days, with West Bengal included among the areas where the process may begin. A high-pressure circulation over Bihar and adjoining areas, along with a trough extending from northeast Bihar to Telangana, is contributing to the scattered rain expected over the next few days.
