Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore on Sunday predicted heavy rain in various districts of South Bengal in the next 48 hours, owing to a well-marked low pressure zone in north-west Bay of Bengal.
The city, which has been experiencing sweltering heat for the last few days, may get some relief as the temperature will dip by a few notches. According to the weather office, heavy rain is likely to hit some South Bengal districts from Monday, with the intensity likely to be more in the coastal districts of East Midnapore and South 24-Parganas.
The well-marked low pressure area over north-west Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal and Odisha coasts is likely to concentrate into a depression during the next three days, a senior weather official said.
The city and its adjoining areas have been witnessing scattered rainfall for the past few days. As there was no heavy rainfall in the city, the discomfort level was high.
People have been witnessing sultry weather due to high humidity. The temperature may drop by a few notches in the city and also in some of the South Bengal districts due to the impact of heavy rain.
Some of the North Bengal districts may also receive light to moderate rainfall in the next two days. The low pressure area that has formed over northwest Bay of Bengal will gain strength in the next 24 hours, which will bring the rainfall in South Bengal.
According to the weather office, it may advance further towards north-west. The weather system is likely to move to north-west and may cause fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rain
in various South Bengal districts.
While the rainfall is likely to be heavy in the districts of West and East Midnapore, Purulia, Jhargram and South 24-Parganas, there may be moderate to heavy rainfall in the other districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata. The city's sky will remain mostly cloudy on Monday and will receive scattered rainfall with thundershower in some stretches.
A senior weather official said that the influence of the low pressure zone which is likely to become more marked, will bring rainfall in South Bengal till Wednesday. The neighbouring states like Odisha and Jharkhand may also receive rainfall due to the impact of the low pressure area over Bay of Bengal.
An alert has been issued to the fishermen in the coastal districts, asking them not to venture into the sea for the next two days, as the sea may turn turbulent.