Cyclone Kumir threatens to wash away Diwali, Kali Puja

Rain may play spoilsport and wash out the fun this Kali Puja and Diwali – the weather scientists of India Metrological Department (IMD) forecasted on Saturday.

There is a lean chance, that the north westerly wind may turn towards the direction of Odisha or Bangladesh and give the festival of light in Kolkata a miss.

A depression that had originated on East Central Bay of Bengal will shed its mask soon to become a vigorous cyclone. The cyclone will head towards North Eastern direction – Myanmar.

“But there is a strong possibility that the cyclone would turn towards Kolkata on Monday or Tuesday. The rain would persist during Kali Puja and Diwali, if the cyclone bounces back to Kolkata,” said a senior weather scientist.

It may be recalled that, rain had marred the spirit of Durga Puja in Mahanabami and Mahadashami, when the festivity was at its highest peak.

A low pressure axis was created alongside Telangana, South Chhattisgarh and West Assam.

Jharkhand and West Bengal had mid to heavy rainfall for the low pressure axis which led to a deep depression on the Bengal sky on the Gangetic Bengal.

As a result, Kolkata and all other districts of South Bengal received heavy rainfall.

The situation may be something very similar to Durga Puja during Kali Puja.

“This is our prediction. But it is still very premature to say heavy rain will occur during Kali Puja,” said the scientists.

The present location of the depression is on Odisha coast. It was in Andaman and Nicobar Islands 

earlier. After getting the shape of cyclone, it will be named ‘Kumir’.

However, the Kali Puja organisers, advertisers, decorators and the idol artists will have a tough time in this untimely monsoon.

The organisers of the Kali Puja now busy arranging adequate measures to combat the rainy weather. The organisers are concerned about electrical problems, particularly short circuits during rains.

“I cannot recall rain during Shyama Puja in Kolkata. But we cannot do anything if it happens. The spirit of Shyama Puja is lighting the dia and candle, illuminating the house. Rain would dampen the spirit,” said a Puja organiser.