West Bengal Weather Alert: Yellow Warning for Kolkata as Heavy Rains Loom

The India Meteorological Department has raised a yellow alert for Kolkata and several districts in South Bengal. Officials say the warning will stay in force at least until Sunday, as a broad low‑pressure area over the North Andaman Sea stiffens into a deep depression.

That system, which is still drifting westward, is expected to bring more than just a few sprinkles. Meteorologists warn of moderate‑to‑heavy rain, intermittent thunderstorms and gusty winds that could hit 30‑40 km/h. In plain terms: keep your umbrellas handy and perhaps a raincoat tucked under your jacket.

The monsoon trough remains active over the Gangetic plains, meaning the sky will stay overcast for the next couple of days. The department will fine‑tune its outlook in the next 24‑48 hours, but the consensus so far points to a wet spell that could linger into the weekend.

For now, there’s no direct cyclone threat to West Bengal. The situation hinges on whether the emerging depression gains enough strength as it moves toward the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. If it does, we could see a shift in the warning level later this week.

Besides Kolkata, the rain bands are expected to affect Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Sikkim, with the heaviest showers likely over Gangetic West Bengal. The system may swing toward the south‑central Bay of Bengal around September 22, nudging South Bengal districts with scattered showers and occasional squalls.

Meanwhile, the eastern coast of India – especially the Odisha‑Andhra Pradesh stretch – is bracing for more intense rainfall. Models suggest a possible landfall around September 23 if the depression continues to intensify.

Residents are urged to stay updated through official IMD bulletins and local news channels. Simple precautions – securing loose items, avoiding low‑lying flood zones and watching out for sudden downpours – can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

As the monsoon season rolls on, this episode serves as a reminder that the weather can turn on a dime. While Kolkata isn’t in the path of a cyclone, the looming deep depression will certainly test the city’s preparedness for heavy rain and gusty winds.