Kolkata and large parts of South Bengal are likely to see scattered rain and thunderstorms through Ashtami, according to a special Puja forecast issued by the Alipore weather office on Friday. Conditions are expected to turn mostly dry across South Bengal from Navami, although light rain remains possible in some parts of Kolkata during Saptami and Ashtami.
The forecast covers the period from Mahalaya to Ekadashi and sets out different weather expectations for South Bengal, North Bengal and Kolkata. The timing is significant for the city, where the Puja period brings large crowds to pandals, extended evening travel and heavy use of roads, footpaths and public spaces.
For South Bengal, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is possible in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram during Panchami, Shashthi and the first Saptami, from October 15 to 17. Scattered rain is also possible in the remaining districts of southern West Bengal.
The weather office has forecast scattered light rain and thunderstorms across all districts of South Bengal during the second Saptami and Ashtami, on October 18 and 19. From Navami to Ekadashi, between October 20 and 22, the region is expected to remain mostly dry, with no rain forecast in South Bengal.
Kolkata’s separate forecast indicates mainly cloudy skies and isolated rain on Mahalaya. Between October 11 and 13, through Tritiya, there is no significant rain forecast for the city. Localised rain may return on Chaturthi. Light to moderate rain is then expected in Kolkata during Panchami, Shashthi and 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 Saptami and Ashtami, light rain may occur in some parts of the city. The forecast indicates that rain is not expected in Kolkata from Navami, or October 20.
For residents and visitors, the forecast points to a weather pattern that may vary sharply across the six main days of the festival. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to remain a possibility during the earlier and middle part of the celebration, while the later days are likely to be comparatively dry. The scattered nature of the forecast also means that conditions may differ between neighbourhoods and districts.
North Bengal is expected to receive less rain overall. Scattered rain is possible on Mahalaya, followed by no rain forecast until Panchami. Some areas may receive rain during Shashthi and Saptami, on October 16 and 17, after which dry weather is expected to return. The Alipore weather office’s special bulletin covers the forecast period through Ekadashi, October 22.
