Heavy rains lash Bengal: IMD issues yellow alerts for South Bengal till August 3
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued yellow alerts for most of South Bengal, warning of thunderstorms with gusty winds (30–40 kmph) and lightning till August 3. The alert covers districts including Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, Birbhum, and Nadia.
The forecast flagged waterlogging in low-lying areas and traffic congestion in urban zones as likely impacts. Citizens have been advised to avoid movement through waterlogged areas.
In Kolkata, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) predicted a 'generally cloudy sky with a few spells of light to moderate rain or thundershower'. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
In North Bengal, several districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar were placed under yellow alerts due to expected heavy rainfall (7-11 cm), thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning over the next week. Orange alerts, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm), have been issued for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.
The IMD warned of possible landslides in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and lightning risks in open areas. Residents have been advised to take shelter in safe locations.
According to the RMC, the intensified monsoon activity is being driven by an active cyclonic circulation. 'The upper air cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh now lies over northern parts of Gangetic West Bengal and extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level,' the IMD stated.
'The monsoon trough at mean sea level now passes through Sri Ganganagar, Rohtak, Banda, Sidhi, Ranchi, Diamond Harbour and then southeastward to the northeast Bay of Bengal. Under the above meteorological conditions, widespread light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rain is likely over West Bengal during the next two days. Further, due to strong monsoon flow towards the north, isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is likely over North Bengal during August 2 to 6,' the IMD press release added.
(The writer is an intern with The Indian Express)
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