Rain threatens to dampen Diwali spirit

For yet another time after Durga Puja, the rain might dampen the spirit of the city dwellers during Diwali this year as per the prediction of Alipore Meteorological office. 

Some parts of the city on Thursday witnessed light rainfall as the effect of the cyclone ‘Kyant’ that turned towards the direction of Andhra Pradesh.

The Cyclone Kyant was expected to bring heavy rainfall to the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Some parts of Bengal including the city received rainfall on Thursday as an impact of the cyclone.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department’s cyclone warning division’s scientists, the cyclonic depression was located 540 km North-west of Port Blair at around 5.30 am on Tuesday.

“There is a strong possibility that the cyclone would turn towards Kolkata on Monday or Tuesday bringing rainfall in Kolkata during Kali Puja and Diwali. The city may receive considerable amount of rainfall if the cyclone bounces back to Kolkata,” a scientist said. 

It may be recalled that, rain had marred the spirit of Durga Puja in Mahanabami and Mahadashami, when the festivity was at its 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. Various Kali Puja organisers are now making adequate measures to combat the situation if there is rainfall in the city.