Kolkata Lingering Monsoon Showers: Kolkata woke up once again to grey skies and intermittent rain showers this week, a continuation of the unsettled weather that has defined much of August. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has predicted that light to moderate rainfall is likely to continue across Kolkata and adjoining districts for the next several days, bringing occasional relief from the sultry humidity but also triggering concerns over traffic disruptions and waterlogging.
The showers—varying between short bursts and longer drizzles—are linked to the weakened low-pressure system over Gangetic Bengal and the adjoining Bay of Bengal. Though not as intense as the heavy downpours earlier this month, these rains are keeping the atmosphere cloudy and temperatures relatively lower than peak summer levels.
👉 Indian Meteorological Department Forecast – Kolkata
Kolkata Lingering Monsoon Showers: Meteorological Insights
Meteorologists explain that the current rainfall is a direct result of a monsoon trough stretching over southern Bengal. While the system is not strong enough to trigger heavy downpours, it is maintaining a steady inflow of moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal. This explains why showers remain scattered but consistent.
- Temperature Trends: Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of around 31–32 °C, slightly below the usual late-August average.
- Humidity Levels: Humidity has remained in the 80–90% range, intensifying the discomfort despite rainfall.
- Short-Term Outlook: Showers are likely to continue through the week, with occasional thundercloud formations bringing spells of sharp rain.
For further details on the city’s climate patterns, visit:
👉 Climate of Kolkata – Wikipedia
July’s Wettest Spell, August’s Subdued Rains
This year’s monsoon in Kolkata has been nothing short of dramatic.
- July 2025 brought a record-breaking 669 mm of rainfall, making it the second wettest July in two decades. Rain fell on 28 of 31 days, causing a 36% surplus for the season.
- August 2025, in contrast, has seen rainfall dip below the expected average despite a few intense spells early in the month.
The contrast between July’s surplus and August’s relative lull illustrates the increasingly unpredictable nature of monsoons in eastern India. This irregularity has become a point of study for climatologists, who link it to shifting patterns in the Indian Ocean Dipole and El Niño/La Niña cycles.
👉 Indian Monsoon Variability – IMD Report
Impact on Daily Life
Rain in Kolkata is not just a weather update—it is a citywide experience that touches every aspect of urban living.
- Traffic & Commuting
- Sudden downpours have led to waterlogging in low-lying areas such as Dhakuria, Ballygunge, and parts of Behala.
- Major traffic corridors like EM Bypass and AJC Bose Road often see long snarls after showers.
- Public transport, especially buses and auto-rickshaws, faces delays as roads become slippery and congested.
- Urban Drainage Strain
- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has activated pumping stations to clear waterlogged stretches, but the city’s age-old drainage system remains vulnerable.
- With rainfall spread across hours, smaller streets in south Kolkata often resemble mini-canals.
- Daily Markets and Businesses
- Vegetable and fish markets see a surge in demand during rainy mornings but also face disruption when supply routes are blocked by flooding.
- Small roadside vendors often struggle to keep stalls dry during persistent drizzles.
👉 Kolkata Municipal Corporation – Drainage & Sewerage Services
Farmers, Reservoirs, and the Bigger Economy
While urban life grapples with traffic snarls, rainfall has a different meaning for farmers across southern Bengal.
- Light to moderate rains are beneficial for standing paddy crops, especially in districts like Howrah, Hooghly, and Nadia.
- The cumulative monsoon rainfall is crucial for groundwater recharge and filling reservoirs that supply both agricultural irrigation and urban drinking water.
- However, excessive cloud cover without sufficient rain may also stress crops by reducing sunlight exposure.
Thus, Kolkata’s weather connects directly to agricultural sustainability in the state, reinforcing the delicate balance monsoon brings every year.
👉 Agriculture in West Bengal – Government Portal
Health & Lifestyle Impacts
Rainy days are not just about puddles and umbrellas—they bring health considerations too:
- Waterborne Diseases: Stagnant water increases risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria.
- Food Safety: Street food vendors face higher scrutiny, as damp conditions can affect hygiene.
- Mental Well-being: The gloomy, overcast skies for extended periods are known to affect mood, though many Kolkatans cherish the cool breeze and nostalgic “adda” sessions over tea and pakoras.
👉 National Health Portal – Monsoon Health Advisory
Looking Ahead: September & Retreating Monsoon
The immediate forecast suggests that Kolkata will continue to receive on-and-off showers through the end of August. As September approaches, meteorologists expect:
- A potential rise in intensity if a fresh low-pressure area forms over the Bay of Bengal.
- Gradual withdrawal of monsoon by early October, depending on wind patterns and sea surface conditions.
- Post-monsoon cyclonic activity in the Bay could still influence rainfall in September and October.
For official forecasts, visit:
👉 India Meteorological Department – Regional Forecasts
A City in Rhythm with Rain
Kolkata and rain share a deep cultural connection. From Rabindranath Tagore’s poems that immortalized the “barsaat ki boond” to Satyajit Ray’s iconic monsoon scenes in cinema, the city’s identity is intertwined with its monsoons.
Today, as residents navigate flooded streets and cloudy skies, the rain continues to remain both a challenge and a comfort—cooling the city, nurturing fields, but also testing its infrastructure.
As long as the southwest monsoon lingers, Kolkata will remain in sync with its timeless rhythm: a city that adjusts, complains, celebrates, and endures—one raindrop at a time.
✅ External Reference Links (for readers):
- Indian Meteorological Department – Kolkata Forecast
- Climate of Kolkata – Wikipedia
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation – Drainage Services
- National Health Portal – Monsoon Advisory
- Agriculture in West Bengal
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