As waterlogging grips Bengal, IMD predicts continued rain for this week

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The IMD also advised fishermen to avoid venturing out to sea until further notice. (File photo)Written by Shambhavi PandeySeveral districts across West Bengal, including Kolkata, continued to reel under monsoon showers on Wednesday, with intense rainfall triggering urban water-logging and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue multiple warnings.An orange alert was issued for Purba Bardhaman and Nadia early on Wednesday for intense rain and thunderstorm activity, while the department also predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places in West Bengal with chances of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall.Although weather conditions are expected to slightly improve from Thursday onwards, the IMD cautions that intermittent rainfall, waterlogging, and stormy conditions will likely persist across parts of the state for the rest of this week.Kolkata recorded 50.8 mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period ending 6:30 am Wednesday, with another 14.7 mm recorded by midday. The sky remained overcast through the day, with light to moderate rain persisting. The maximum temperature dipped to 27.1 degrees Celsius, offering respite from the heat but worsening traffic snarls in waterlogged pockets.By Thursday, heavy to very heavy rain (7-20 cm) is likely at isolated locations in Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, and Birbhum, while heavy rain (7-11 cm) may occur in Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Nadia, and Murshidabad. All districts may experience thunderstorms with gusty winds (30-40 kmph) and lightning at isolated locations. These conditions are expected to continue through July 15 with minor fluctuations in intensity and coverage.In North Bengal, light to moderate rain is expected through the week, with heavy to very heavy rain over Kalimpong, and heavy showers over Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Malda on Wednesday. Isolated landslides remain a risk in the hills, especially in Kalimpong. Districts like Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are forecast to receive heavy rain again on July 13.Story continues below this adSeveral southern districts — including Howrah, Hooghly, the 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, Murshidabad, and Bardhaman — will continue to see light to moderate rain and thundershowers throughout the week, driven by the persistent monsoon pattern. Significant rainfall in the past day was recorded in areas like Manteswar (12 cm), Sri Niketan and Gheropara (9 cm each), Bankura (6 cm), and Basirhat and Berhampore (5 cm each).The IMD also advised fishermen to avoid venturing out to sea until further notice. Squally weather with wind speeds up to 55 kmph is likely along and off the West Bengal-Odisha coast and over the North Bay of Bengal for the next day. Sea conditions will remain rough to very rough.(Shambhavi Pandey is an intern with Indian Express)Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Kolkata