MeT predicts heavy rain by month-end

Kolkata/Darjeeling: The Regional Meteorological Center at Alipore on Tuesday forecast heavy rain in the districts of south Bengal owing to an active monsoon condition by the end of this month.

Heavy to very heavy rain have been predicted in all the districts of South Bengal with the intensity likely to be more in the coastal districts of East Midnapore, South 24-Parganas and North 24-Parganas. There is also prediction of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Western districts such as Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore, Birbhum, Jhargram in the next few days.

The intensity of rainfall in North Bengal districts will reduce from Wednesday. All the districts in North Bengal had received heavy to very heavy rainfall in the past few days whereas the South Bengal districts only witnessed some scattered rainfall. The heat and humidity was high in South Bengal districts for the past two weeks. The prediction of heavy rainfall in the city and other South Bengal districts by the end of this month has given a sense of relief to the people who were under the spell of intense heat.

A low pressure area is also expected to form over Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and Odisha coasts. It may further intensify the situation. Rains will be accompanied by the thunderstorm in some parts of the districts. The city may also witness gusty winds along with rain.

"The metropolis, which has been experiencing sweltering heat for the last few days, is likely to receive heavy rain after June 28. There had been a delay in the advent of monsoon in the state. It had made its official entry a few days ago but no heavy rainfall occurred in South Bengal so far. A scattered rainfall in some parts also contributed to the rise of humidity and discomfort level," a weather official said. He also said that the intensity of the rainfall in North Bengal will go down from Wednesday where the South Bengal districts are set to receive heavy rainfall. It will reduce the humidity level that has been troubling people for sometime.

Incessant rainfall since Monday night in the Kalimpong district has triggered numerous landslides in remote parts of the district. Heavy rainfall in neighbouring Bhutan has resulted in water level of most of the rivers flowing into North Bengal rising heavily with some areas of Dooars being inundated.

Rongo was completely cut off owing to a major landslide on the connecting road. In Bindu the house of one Lal Babu's house was damaged owing to a huge rock falling on the house.

Jholung recorded 370 mm of rain. There were numerous landslides in the region. In many parts including Dalgaon parts of the road was washed away. With the rise in water level of the Gairibas stream, communication had come to a standstill.

Meanwhile, with the water-level of the Torsa, Murti, Kaljani and other rivers rising considerably many parts of Jaigaon including Jaigaon was inundated. A landslide in a forest village in Kumai washed away a house killing a woman identified Manju Darjee (35) and injuring others.