Kolkata is likely to experience mostly dry weather on Mahalaya, although light rain could affect parts of the city and adjoining South Bengal districts during the afternoon or evening, according to the Alipore Meteorological Office. The forecast offers some relief to Puja organisers, idol makers and pandal workers, with no immediate prediction of heavy rainfall.
The weather office has forecast a generally cloudy sky in Kolkata and said light to moderate rain could occur in isolated locations. North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, East Midnapore and West Midnapore are among the areas where light rain has been forecast. Coastal districts may also see scattered showers.
The forecast is significant for the city’s final preparations before Durga Puja, which begins seven days after Mahalaya. Residents are expected to be outdoors for shopping and other preparations, while organisers, artisans and installation teams continue work at puja venues across Kolkata and neighbouring districts.
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which was 0.7 degrees below normal, the report said. The maximum temperature was forecast at 30.4 degrees Celsius, or 2.2 degrees below normal. The combination of lower temperatures and the possibility of intermittent rain is expected to keep conditions relatively comfortable, although outdoor activity could be disrupted in places where showers occur.
Winds of around 30 kilometres per hour have also been forecast in parts of South Bengal. The weather office said isolated light rain could occur during the day or evening, while heavy rain was not expected at present. The forecast covers Kolkata as well as several districts that remain connected to the city’s festival economy and transport network.
The report also provided an outlook for the main Puja days. From October 15 to 17, corresponding to Panchami, Shashthi and the first Saptami, scattered light to moderate rain is possible in coastal districts of South Bengal, including North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and Jhargram. Weather conditions are expected to remain largely dry from October 18 to 19, covering the second Saptami and Ashtami, although isolated light rain cannot be ruled out.
The forecast indicates dry weather across South Bengal from October 20 to 22, covering Navami, Dashami and Ekadashi. The report described the overall conditions during the festival period as likely to remain pleasant, while noting that isolated showers may still occur during some phases.
North Bengal may receive light to moderate rain in isolated locations on Mahalaya. Similar conditions are possible in parts of North Bengal on October 16 and 17, while dry weather is forecast there from October 18 to 22. The Alipore Meteorological Office’s forecast remains the basis for the current outlook, with local conditions expected to vary across districts.
