The southwest monsoon has withdrawn from most of West Bengal, but Kolkata and several other districts could still receive light, scattered rain during the early Puja period, according to the Alipore weather office. The forecast suggests that heavy rain is unlikely, although intermittent showers may affect outdoor movement and celebrations from Chaturthi through the first Saptami.
The weather office said on Monday that the monsoon had retreated from most parts of West Bengal and that the remaining areas are expected to see its withdrawal over the next two to three days. The withdrawal line is currently positioned over Kolkata. The southwest monsoon has also moved away from the rest of Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Goa, the report said.
There is no forecast of rain in any district of south Bengal on Tuesday. On Wednesday, scattered light rain may occur in Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram. The forecast does not indicate that all parts of these districts will receive rain.
From Thursday to Saturday, corresponding to Panchami through the first Saptami, light rain is forecast in all districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata. The weather office has described the possibility as scattered rather than widespread, meaning that conditions could vary across neighbourhoods and districts. No heavy rainfall has been forecast during this period.
For Kolkata, the forecast is relevant to the large volume of pedestrian movement and outdoor activity associated with Puja. Light showers can affect temporary structures, open-air queues, traffic movement and access around crowded public spaces, even when they do not develop into a major weather event. The report, however, does not indicate the likelihood of storms or intense rainfall in south Bengal during the period covered.
A change in weather is possible from the second Saptami, which falls on Sunday, according to the forecast. The report does not provide further details on the intensity or distribution of rain expected after that point.
North Bengal is expected to remain largely dry from Tuesday to Thursday, with no possibility of thunderstorms or rain in the region’s eight districts during those days. Light rain may occur in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong on Friday and Saturday, corresponding to Shashti and the first Saptami. Heavy rain is not expected in any of these areas.
The latest forecast leaves the Puja period vulnerable to occasional light showers but not to the widespread heavy rain that would cause a major weather disruption. The Alipore weather office’s next updates will determine whether the predicted change from Sunday brings a broader shift in conditions across the state.
