South Bengal is likely to see scattered rain and thunderstorms through Ashtami, with Kolkata among the areas expected to be affected during the busiest days of Durga Puja, according to a special festival bulletin issued by the Alipore weather office and reported by Anandabazar. Conditions may turn mostly dry from Navami, providing some relief for late-festival movement and outdoor celebrations.
The forecast covers the period from Mahalaya to Ekadashi and sets out different weather expectations for South Bengal, Kolkata and North Bengal. In South Bengal, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is possible across Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram from Panchami through the first Saptami, between October 15 and 17.
Other districts in southern West Bengal may also receive intermittent rain during this period. The bulletin forecasts scattered light rain and the possibility of lightning across all districts of South Bengal on the second Saptami and Ashtami, falling on October 18 and 19. From Navami to Ekadashi, between October 20 and 22, the region is expected to remain largely dry, with no significant rain forecast.
For Kolkata, the weather office expects mainly cloudy skies and isolated rain on Mahalaya. The city is not expected to see significant rain between October 11 and 13, through Tritiya, although isolated showers may return on Chaturthi. Light to moderate rain is forecast in the city during Panchami, Shashthi and the first Saptami, from October 15 to 17.
Temperatures in Kolkata during this period are expected to remain between 26 and 31 degrees Celsius. On October 18 and 19, corresponding to the second Saptami and Ashtami, some parts of the city may receive light rain. The forecast indicates that rain is unlikely from Navami, or October 20, allowing the final days of the festival to remain mostly dry.
The timing is significant for the city’s public spaces and transport network. Rain during Panchami, Shashthi, Saptami and Ashtami can affect movement around crowded puja venues, temporary structures, pedestrian routes and roads, while thunderstorms and lightning may require organisers and visitors to monitor local warnings. The forecast, however, does not indicate continuous rain across the entire period; it points instead to intermittent and district-specific showers.
North Bengal is expected to receive comparatively less rain. Scattered showers are possible on Mahalaya, but the weather office has forecast dry conditions until Panchami. Some areas may receive rain on Shashthi and Saptami, October 16 and 17, after which dry weather is expected to return.
The Alipore weather office’s special bulletin provides the current forecast window from Mahalaya to Ekadashi. Local conditions may vary by district and city area, with the next key shift expected from Navami, when South Bengal is forecast to move towards generally dry weather.
