Rain unlikely to spoil your Puja plans, says Met

TNN | Oct 4, 2016, KOLKATA: You may rule out the possibility of rain while making your puja plan. The weather will not come in the way of pandal-hopping, the Met office has predicted. Even though a few spells of sporadic showers have not been ruled out, heavy rain is unlikely between October 8 and 11.

While the beginning of the puja week will be dry with temperature shooting past the 30 degree-mark and humidity remaining high, the weekend could see a few showers in case winds flow in from the southeast, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

"As of now, there is no major system in sight. Since we are approaching the end of monsoon, low-pressure systems will now be rare. But since monsoon is yet to end, there is moisture in the air, which will continue to trigger occasional showers. But we don't expect heavy rain till at least October 12," said RMC director GK Das.

The next 48 hours will be dry and humid, added Das. "Subsequently, there could be a few showers. But they shouldn't be heavy enough to disrupt the festive mood. They are more likely towards the end of the pujas," he said.

Weathermen had kept their fingers crossed till Monday since October is the period when cyclones strike. A cyclonic circulation had, in fact, been brewing in south-east Bay of Bengallast week. But the system has fizzled away.

"This time, such inclement weather is ruled out. Unless there is a drastic change in weather conditions, which is now unlikely, the weather will be fair over the next one week," added Das.

Kolkata and south Bengal received normal rain this monsoon. Even though there had been a shortfall during the first half of monsoon, heavier showers in August and September neutralized the deficiency. "But that is not always an indication of whether it will rain heavily in October. In fact, there have been years when October has been extremely wet. But this time, there seems to be no such possibility," said Das. It will remain warm and humid, though, he added.

North Bengal, too, is predicted remain dry durng the pujas. Moisture incursion has dropped in the northern part of the state while monsoon currents are almost inactive.