Kolkata: Even as Cyclone Montha loses strength over land, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that parts of West Bengal are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days. The weakened system, now classified as a deep depression, continues to carry large amounts of moisture capable of triggering intense rain and gusty winds across the region.
According to the IMD, the weather system is expected to move northwards toward eastern Madhya Pradesh, gradually weakening into a depression. However, the residual impact will bring widespread showers and thunderstorms, particularly across southern and central districts of Bengal.
Areas including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Bankura, and Birbhum are likely to bear the brunt, with wind speeds of 40–50 km/h and the possibility of localized flooding in low-lying zones.
Authorities in Kolkata have been placed on high alert, with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and State Disaster Management Authority deploying response teams to handle potential waterlogging and storm-related incidents. Citizens have been advised to remain indoors during heavy rainfall and to avoid flooded areas.
The IMD has also urged fishermen not to venture into the north Bay of Bengal, citing rough sea conditions, and has directed ports to maintain cautionary signals until further notice.
Meteorologists note that even as Montha weakens, its remnant low-pressure system could extend rainfall activity to parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh in the coming days.
Weather experts predict that conditions will gradually improve by early next week, marking the end of a turbulent spell of weather that has soaked much of eastern India.
With emergency teams on standby and skies still heavy with clouds, Bengal braces for one final bout of rain before Cyclone Montha’s remnants finally dissipate.
