Heavy rain to lash Bengal in the next two days

TNN | Jul 3, 2016,KOLKATA: The incessant rain lashing the city since Saturday has covered a part of deficit rainfall in Kolkata . In fact the amount of rainfall in the past two days covered almost 10% of the normal rain July gets. With the Met office predicting moderate to heavy rain during the next two to three days, the shortfall is expected to be made up. A low pressure system positioned over Bengal and Jharkhand border has brought in the rain. Under its influence the downpour will continue across the state for another two to three days with heavy spells in some districts in the next two days.

"The low pressure system is moving very slow. As the result rain will persists not only in Kolkata but across the state. Heavy rain could lash some districts during the next 48 hours," said GC Debnath, deputy director general meteorology, Indian Meteorological department.

Even as Saturday saw heavier rain in the eastern fringes of the city including Dumdum and Salt Lake where a rainfall of around 100 mm was recorded, Monday had the southern pockets of the city getting more rain. Areas like Kasba and Ballygunge recorded 100 mm rain while Alipore recorded 30 mm rain between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm (nine hours). Met office says that Sunday has been the rainiest day so far.

Districts including Murshidabad, Burdwan, Birbhum, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas along with parts of North Bengal districts specially Malda, Dinajpur will be hit by heavy rain by Tuesday. Areas under Damodar valley might see flooding. While the intensity could be lesser in Kolkata, widespread rain will prevail across the city.

"The rainy season started with a weak monsoon flow resulting in deficit rainfall. Now the next few days will see this shortfall being made up in most districts. This will facilitate kharif crop cultivation," said Debnath.