Deep Depression to Bring Heavy Rain in Bengal: Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the coming days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a formal warning after a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified. The system, moving northwestward, is projected to bring widespread downpour, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across coastal and riverine districts, raising concerns about urban flooding, rural crop damage, and possible disruptions in daily life.
IMD Weather Alert for Bengal
According to the India Meteorological Department, the deep depression is centered over the northwest Bay of Bengal and is likely to intensify further before moving inland. Meteorologists have forecast:
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall in coastal districts like East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas.
- Moderate to heavy showers in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and Nadia.
- Extremely heavy rainfall pockets in districts like Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, and Birbhum.
Accompanying the rains, wind speeds of 40–60 kmph have been predicted along coastal belts, prompting fishermen to stay away from the sea.
Deep Depression to Bring Heavy Rain in Bengal: Kolkata Prepares for Waterlogging
For Kolkata, a city vulnerable to waterlogging due to its low-lying areas, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has activated emergency drainage teams. Pumps have been stationed in hotspots like Topsia, Behala, Park Circus, Ultadanga, and parts of Salt Lake, which often face knee-to-waist-deep water during intense spells.
Mayor Firhad Hakim stated that over 400 pumping stations are on standby, with quick-response teams assigned to critical traffic junctions. “We are better prepared this time with modern drainage pumps, but if the rainfall exceeds 150 mm within a short span, some areas may face inevitable waterlogging,” he admitted.
Concerns Over Crop Damage in Rural Bengal
The deep depression comes at a crucial time for Bengal’s agriculture, as farmers prepare for the paddy harvest. Districts such as East Burdwan, Murshidabad, and Birbhum are at risk of severe crop losses if fields remain submerged for more than 48 hours. Agricultural experts have warned that excess rainfall could lead to:
- Lodging of paddy crops.
- Reduced yield quality.
- Potential outbreak of fungal diseases due to high humidity.
The West Bengal Agriculture Department has advised farmers to make arrangements for drainage and to store harvested crops in safe, elevated spaces.
Transportation and Daily Life Disruptions
- Air Travel: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has advised passengers to check flight updates, as heavy rains may disrupt take-off and landing schedules.
- Railways: The Eastern and South Eastern Railways have issued alerts about possible delays and short-termination of suburban trains if tracks get submerged.
- Roadways: State Transport Department has prepared special buses to ensure connectivity if NH-6 or NH-2 face flooding in low-lying stretches.
Disaster Management Steps by the State Government
The West Bengal government has activated the State Disaster Management Control Room to coordinate rescue and relief if needed. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned teams in East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly to respond to flash floods or embankment breaches.
District magistrates have been asked to:
- Keep evacuation shelters ready.
- Ensure supply of food, medicines, and potable water.
- Monitor river embankments in areas prone to flooding.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, through a social media post, urged citizens to “stay indoors during intense spells, avoid unnecessary travel, and cooperate with disaster response agencies.”
Experts Warn of Climate Change Links
Weather scientists have noted that the frequency of deep depressions and cyclones over the Bay of Bengal has increased in recent years. According to IPCC reports, warming sea-surface temperatures are fueling stronger and wetter systems, leading to more intense rainfall over eastern India.
Environmentalists are urging policymakers to strengthen urban resilience, improve drainage networks, and invest in sustainable infrastructure to withstand climate shocks.
Citizens’ Voices
Residents across Kolkata and districts are preparing for the worst.
- “In Topsia, even 20 minutes of rain floods our roads. We fear that this depression will paralyze the locality again,” said Abdul Karim, a shopkeeper.
- Farmers in East Burdwan expressed anxiety: “We were ready to harvest, but if fields remain waterlogged, we will lose an entire season,” lamented farmer Ratan Mondal.
Looking Ahead
While rains will provide relief from the lingering humid weather, Bengal now faces a dual challenge: managing urban flooding in Kolkata and protecting rural livelihoods from crop damage. The state’s preparedness will be tested in the coming days as the deep depression moves inland and gradually weakens.
For live updates, citizens can follow the IMD Kolkata Regional Meteorological Centre and the NDMA advisory portal.
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