IMD Issues Red Alert for North Bengal as Extremely Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms and Landslide Risk Loom

KalimNews, June 27, 2026, Kolkata : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Warning for all eight districts of North Bengal for June 28 and 29, forecasting widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. The weather office has cautioned that the intense spell of rain could trigger landslides in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, while low-lying areas across the plains may face flooding and waterlogging.

According to the IMD, favourable wind patterns and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal are expected to sustain vigorous monsoon activity over the region. The seasonal trough at mean sea level currently extends from Rajasthan to Odisha through north Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, while an upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over the northeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Myanmar coast between 3.1 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level. These weather systems are likely to fuel widespread rainfall and thunderstorm activity across West Bengal over the coming days.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places across all districts of North Bengal, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, ranging between 7 cm and 20 cm, is expected at several locations, while isolated places may receive extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm between June 27 and June 29.

Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are expected to bear the brunt of the rain. The IMD has warned that the prolonged downpour may lead to landslides in the hill districts, inundation of low-lying areas, localised flooding, disruption of road connectivity and traffic movement, and a rise in river and stream water levels.

Several parts of North Bengal have already recorded very heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Friday. The highest rainfall was recorded at NH-31 Bridge in Jalpaiguri with 13 cm, followed by Raidak Tea Estate in Alipurduar with 11 cm. Newlands Tea Garden in Alipurduar, Jhallong in Kalimpong and Patkapara Tea Estate in Alipurduar each received 10 cm of rain. Other significant rainfall included Majherdabri Tea Garden and Kumargram Tea Estate in Alipurduar with 9 cm each, Champasari in Darjeeling with 9 cm, Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri with 8 cm, Sankos Tea Estate in Alipurduar with 8 cm, and Maynaguri College, Dharala Valley Tea Estate, Suryasen Mahavidyalaya, Siliguri and Falakata receiving between 5 cm and 7 cm.

South Bengal also witnessed scattered rainfall during the same period. Alipore in Kolkata recorded 9 cm of rainfall, while Salt Lake received 7 cm. Kharagpur recorded 6 cm, Uluberia 5 cm, and Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip, Contai and Burdwan each received around 3 cm. Gusty winds ranging between 40 kmph and 63 kmph were reported from Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, Nadia and North 24 Parganas.

The heavy rain caused waterlogging on several major roads in Kolkata and Salt Lake, slowing traffic and creating difficulties for commuters.

The IMD has forecast that on June 27, moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places across Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in all five districts. Extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm is likely at isolated places in Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar.

On June 28, widespread rainfall is expected across all districts of North Bengal. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, while Darjeeling and Kalimpong are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. North Dinajpur may also experience heavy rain.

On June 29, widespread rain will continue across North Bengal, with extremely heavy rainfall likely over Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Cooch Behar and Kalimpong, while North and South Dinajpur may receive heavy rainfall.

On June 30, light to moderate rainfall is expected to continue across all districts, with heavy to very heavy rain likely in Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, and heavy rainfall in the remaining districts.

On July 1 and July 2, widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected to persist over North Bengal. Heavy rainfall is likely over Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar on July 1, while Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are likely to receive heavy rain on July 2. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are expected across the region on both days.

The IMD has also forecast active monsoon conditions across South Bengal.

On June 27, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected at many places over Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph.

On June 28, similar weather conditions are expected over Purba Medinipur, North and South 24 Parganas, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman.

On June 29, light to moderate rainfall is likely across all districts of South Bengal. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are expected over Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas, while the remaining districts may experience gusty winds of 30-40 kmph.

On June 30, widespread rainfall is expected across South Bengal, with heavy rain likely over Birbhum and Murshidabad. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are expected over Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman.

On July 1, light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are expected across all districts, with gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph.

On July 2, rainfall is likely to continue across South Bengal, with thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph expected over Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman. Other districts are likely to experience winds of 30-40 kmph.

The IMD has advised residents, particularly those living in hilly and low-lying areas, to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, and follow updates issued by local authorities as the active monsoon spell continues over West Bengal.