Thursday, 19 December 2024
Thursday, 19 December 2024
The deep depression over Gangetic West Bengal continues to bring heavy rainfall and winds to several districts. Per the last record of the weather system at 5:30 am today, the depression is moving northwestward at a slow pace of 3 kmph over the past six hours and was located approximately 40 km south of Bankura, 90 km east-northeast of Jamshedpur, and 180 km east of Ranchi.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the depression is expected to weaken over the next 12 hours as it continues to move across Gangetic West Bengal. It will head towards Jharkhand and North Chhattisgarh in the following 24 hours.
Calcutta and adjoining areas recorded over 65 mm of rainfall from 6:30 am on September 15 to 8:30 am on September 16. Several areas of South Bengal have already experienced significant rainfall in the past 24 hours. Asansol, located in the Paschim Bardhaman district, received 15 cm of rainfall, while nearby Suri in Birbhum and Kharidwar in Purulia reported 13 cm. Other regions, including Bankura, Birbhum, and Purulia, recorded rainfall between 8 to 12 cm.
The IMD has predicted heavy rains in districts such as West Burdwan, Purulia, Bankura, and Birbhum. These regions could receive rainfall between 7-11 cm today. Light to moderate showers are expected to persist across South Bengal.
In addition to the rainfall, squally winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph, with gusts up to 70 kmph, are expected along the coastal areas of West Bengal, Bangladesh, and northern Odisha over the next six hours. Winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, will continue inland across districts like West Burdwan, Purulia, and Jhargram.
Sea conditions in the North Bay of Bengal are predicted to remain rough to very rough, prompting the IMD to advise fishermen to avoid going into the sea. Waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic congestion, and reduced visibility due to intense rain spells are anticipated in urban regions. In rural districts, vulnerable kutcha houses and roads may suffer damage, and river water levels are expected to rise.
The IMD has advised residents to avoid waterlogged areas and seek shelter in safe structures. Farmers are urged not to apply fertilisers or pesticides as they could be washed away by the rain. The movement of traffic in affected areas may be regulated as a precaution.
North Bengal is expected to see light rainfall with occasional thunderstorms today. Districts like Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong may experience thunderstorms and lightning.
The IMD continues to monitor its progress via the Doppler Weather Radar in Calcutta as the depression weakens and moves westward.
