A low-pressure area has developed over the north Bay of Bengal, prompting the Met office to forecast rain across south Bengal and Kolkata for Monday. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, the system formed on Sunday and is expected to influence weather conditions in the region.
Kolkata recorded 6mm of rain on Sunday, with the city's northern suburbs experiencing a heavy downpour in the afternoon. The Met office indicated that while the impact on Kolkata and its neighbouring districts could be marginal, some areas in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Jhargram and Purulia may see heavy rain on Monday.
The monsoon trough, which is active, passes over Purulia. Additionally, a trough associated with the cyclonic circulation extends from the north Bay of Bengal to east Uttar Pradesh, crossing Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh. These conditions are expected to bring rain to coastal areas of south Bengal.
An official from the Met Office said, "There is a cyclonic circulation over the north Bay of Bengal adjacent the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts. It extends up to a height of 8 km above sea level. Due to its influence, a low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday morning. In addition, the monsoon trough is active. It extends from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand to Digha and reaches the Bay of Bengal. Due to its influence, heavy rain may occur in some areas of south Bengal on Monday."
The Met department also warned that in coastal Bengal, rain could be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning strikes. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm has been predicted in some parts of south Bengal for Monday.
Gusty winds are blowing in the north Bay of Bengal along the coasts of Odisha and Bengal at speeds of 35-45 km per hour. As a precaution, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea in this area until Monday.