Kolkata is unlikely to face heavy rain on Mahalaya, although light to moderate showers may affect the city and several southern Bengal districts during the day or evening, according to the Alipore weather office. The forecast comes as residents, puja organisers, idol makers and pandal artists complete preparations for Durga Puja.
The weather office said the sky may remain cloudy, but there is currently no possibility of heavy rainfall in Kolkata. Light rain has been forecast in isolated parts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, East Midnapore and West Midnapore. Coastal districts may also receive scattered showers.
Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which was 0.7 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature was recorded at 30.4 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees below normal, according to the weather office. Winds of around 30 kilometres per hour are also expected in parts of southern Bengal.
The forecast is relevant to the city’s festival economy and public movement as Mahalaya marks the beginning of Debi Paksha and leaves seven days before Bodhan. Residents are expected to continue last-minute shopping, while puja committees and artisans are completing work on idols and temporary pandals. The possibility of brief showers may affect outdoor activity, but the weather office has not forecast a widespread heavy-rain event for Kolkata on Mahalaya.
For the Durga Puja period, isolated light to moderate rain is possible in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram and the coastal districts of South Bengal from October 15 to 17, corresponding to Panchami, Shashthi and the first Saptami. The weather is expected to remain mainly dry across the region from October 18 to 19, corresponding to the second Saptami and Ashtami, although some places may still receive limited rain.
The forecast indicates dry weather across South Bengal from October 20 to 22, covering Nabami, Dashami and Ekadashi. The overall conditions during these days are expected to remain pleasant, according to the Alipore weather office.
North Bengal may receive light to moderate rain in isolated areas on Mahalaya, with similar conditions possible in a few places on October 16 and 17. The weather in North Bengal is expected to remain dry from October 18 to 22. The next weather updates will determine whether the isolated-rain forecast changes as festival dates approach.
