A low pressure area is likely to form over southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22, the India Meteorological Department said on Monday afternoon.

The low pressure area is likely to move initially northeastwards and concentrate into a depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by morning of May 24, the IMD posted on the social network X (formerly Twitter)

The IMD issued an associated adverse weather warning:

“Rainfall at many places with Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over North Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal on 24th and 25th May,” it posted.

The IMD warned fishermen too.

“Fishermen are advised not to venture into central Bay of Bengal from 23rd May and into North Bay of Bengal from 24th May onwards. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast before 23rd May,” it said.

A Met bulletin on Sunday said: “A cyclonic circulation lies over Gangetic West Bengal and neighbourhood at 3.1km above mean sea level. Under favourable synoptic conditions and strong moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal, thunderstorms... activities are very likely to occur over the districts of West Bengal.”

The IMD on Monday also said Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall was very likely over south Peninsular India till 23rd May with possibility of extremely heavy falls over Kerala during 20th-22nd May, 2024.

Many parts of Calcutta witnessed rain around noon on Monday.

Calcutta and the most of south Bengal have already suffered multiple heat assaults this season.

One of the longest spells of scorching conditions was broken by a wet spell that began on May 6. But the past few days have been very hot and humid.

Sunday’s Met bulletin said thunderstorms are likely in south Bengal on Tuesday and Wednesday as well. “But on Monday, they are expected to be uniform and widespread,” said an official.