West Bengal is under heightened weather alert following the weakening of Cyclone Montha, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues yellow and orange warnings across multiple districts. Though the storm has reduced in strength, its residual impact is expected to produce heavy rain, strong winds, and localised disruptions, reported The Indian Express ( https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-weather-today-cyclone-montha-rain-alert-imd-10333106/ ).
According to the IMD bulletin, coastal districts can expect squalls with wind speeds of 35–45 km/h, potentially gusting up to 55 km/h on Wednesday. In North Bengal, lighter showers or thunderstorms are forecast, prompting a yellow alert for Malda, North & South Dinajpur and Jalpaiguri. An orange alert — signalling heavier rainfall — has been set for regions including Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Alipurduar and Kalimpong.
In South Bengal, the IMD has flagged heavy rain (7–11 cm) in at least one or two locations across South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and East and West Midnapore. Further alerts have been issued for Thursday and Friday in districts such as Purulia, Birbhum, Murshidabad and West Bardhaman, where heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely. The agency has warned of possible landslides in hilly zones and waterlogging in low-lying areas, along with the risk of lightning strikes. Traffic disruptions and crop damage are also potential hazards.
In Kolkata, a partly cloudy sky is expected, with the possibility of heavy rain or thunder later in the day. The maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast at 31°C and 25°C respectively, and similar conditions are expected to persist over the next two days before easing slightly over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Cyclone Montha, initially classified as a severe cyclonic storm, has now weakened into a cyclonic storm over coastal Andhra Pradesh. It is moving northwestwards at around 10 km/h and is expected to further weaken into a deep depression later in the day. Although the storm’s main body is distant from West Bengal, its outer bands continue to feed into the region’s weather pattern, producing the rainfall and gusty winds now being witnessed.
What to Watch For
• Residents in north Bengal should remain alert for thunderstorms, heavy showers and possible landslides in hilly districts, especially under the orange alert for Friday.
• In south Bengal, particularly low-lying and coastal zones should prepare for heavy downpours and coastal gusts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along the West Bengal coast until Thursday at the earliest.
• For Kolkata and surroundings, people should monitor sudden changes in weather, reduce outdoor exposure during thunderstorms and avoid non-essential travel during heavy rainfall periods.
• Authorities are cautioned to keep drainage systems clear of debris to manage waterlogging and ensure emergency services are ready for oddities such as tree-falls, flash floods and lightning incidents.
Implications and Response
Though Cyclone Montha no longer poses the immediate threat of landfall in Bengal, its remnants are stirring adverse weather conditions. This underscores how post-storm effects can still disrupt life even after a storm weakens. The IMD’s layered alerts reflect the varying severity across the state and serve as a reminder that vigilance is still vital.
Local administrations are likely to mobilise relief efforts, particularly in regions under orange alert, with special focus on hilly terrains and coastal zones prone to landslides and storm surges. For the public, preparedness means staying updated via official channels, securing loose outdoor items, keeping emergency numbers handy and avoiding risky areas during intense rainfall.
As the weather system begins to taper off, many will hope for a return to normalcy. But the past few days show that even a weakened storm can leave a lasting impact. With rain likely through the weekend, West Bengal’s watch remains on until skies clear and stability returns.
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