Heavy Rain Alert for Bengal: North Bengal Faces Very Heavy Rain, South Bengal Rainfall to Increase from July 21

KalimNews, Kalimpong, July 19, 2026 : The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore on Saturday issued a heavy rainfall warning for several districts of West Bengal, forecasting enhanced rainfall activity across North Bengal and a rise in rain intensity over South Bengal from July 21.

According to the weather office, the low-pressure area that had formed over the western parts of Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas of north Jharkhand has weakened and become less marked as of 8:30 am on July 18, 2026. However, the associated cyclonic circulation continues to persist over the same region and extends up to 4.5 kilometres above mean sea level.

The monsoon trough at mean sea level is currently passing through Amritsar, Karnal, Hardoi, Ranchi and Digha before moving southeastwards towards the northwest Bay of Bengal. The trough extends up to 0.9 kilometres above mean sea level. Another trough has also developed from north Bihar to the northwest Bay of Bengal, passing across Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal between 1.5 km and 3.1 km above mean sea level.

Considering these prevailing meteorological conditions, the weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 20 cm at a few places, along with extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm at one or two locations in some districts of North Bengal between July 18 and July 19.

On July 20, heavy to very heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 20 cm is also likely at one or two places in parts of North Bengal. Meanwhile, South Bengal districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 11 cm at isolated locations between July 21 and July 23.

During the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on July 18, very light to moderate rainfall was recorded at most places across North Bengal. Heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated locations in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts.

South Bengal also experienced very light to moderate rainfall at several places during the same period.

The highest rainfall recorded across West Bengal during this period was reported from several locations in North Bengal. 

The weather office has predicted significant rainfall activity across North Bengal during the coming days, with several districts likely to experience heavy to very heavy showers, thunderstorms and lightning.

On July 19, moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at most places across all districts of North Bengal. Heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 20 cm is likely at a few places, with extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm possible at one or two locations in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 20 cm is also expected at isolated places in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Behar districts. North Dinajpur may receive heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm at one or two locations.

Thunderstorms and lightning are also likely at isolated places across all districts of North Bengal on July 19.

On July 20, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at most places across North Bengal. Heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging from 7 cm to 20 cm may occur at one or two places in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts.

North Dinajpur district may experience heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm at isolated locations. Thunderstorms and lightning are also expected at one or two places across all districts of North Bengal.

On July 21, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at most places in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts, while other districts of North Bengal may receive rainfall at many places.

Heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm is likely at isolated places in Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts. Thunderstorms and lightning may occur at one or two places across all districts of North Bengal.

On July 22, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at many places across all districts of North Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 11 cm may occur at isolated locations in Jalpaiguri district.

Thunderstorms and lightning are likely at isolated places in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda districts.

From July 23 to July 24, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places across all districts of North Bengal.

The Meteorological Centre has warned of possible landslides in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts due to continuous rainfall. Residents and travellers in vulnerable hilly regions have been advised to remain alert.

The weather department has also highlighted several possible impacts of the heavy rainfall over North Bengal.

Low-lying areas and underpass roads may face temporary waterlogging, inundation and sudden flash flooding. Unsecured structures, weak walls and vulnerable kutcha houses may suffer damage due to strong winds and heavy rain.

Visibility may reduce significantly during intense spells of rainfall, affecting road movement and transportation. Water levels in several rivers, including the Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka and Raidak, may rise due to increased rainfall.

Standing crops and horticulture may also suffer damage in affected areas. The possibility of lightning strikes remains high, especially in open fields, and people have been advised to avoid exposed areas during thunderstorms.

For South Bengal, the Meteorological Centre has also warned of possible impacts from the upcoming weather system.

Farmers have been advised to remain cautious as standing crops and horticultural activities may be affected by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. There is also a possibility of lightning strikes, particularly in open agricultural fields.

Temporary waterlogging may occur in low-lying areas and underpass roads due to intense rainfall spells.

Meanwhile, Kolkata and adjoining areas are expected to experience partly cloudy skies with light rain or thundershowers on Sunday. The maximum temperature is likely to remain between 34°C and 35°C, while the minimum temperature may stay around 27°C to 28°C.

Weather activity is expected to increase from Monday, with thunderstorms and rainfall influencing conditions across the city and surrounding areas. Rainfall intensity is likely to rise further from Tuesday, with several parts of Kolkata receiving spells of rain and thundershowers.

Due to increased rainfall activity, maximum temperatures in Kolkata are expected to fall between 30°C and 32°C, while nighttime temperatures may drop to a more comfortable range of 24°C to 26°C.

South Bengal districts are likely to witness widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers during this period. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph may occur at isolated places, particularly in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia districts.

Residents across Bengal have been advised to remain cautious, especially during thunderstorms and heavy rainfall spells. People living in vulnerable areas, farmers, and those travelling through hilly regions have been urged to follow weather updates issued by authorities and take necessary precautions.The Alipore Meteorological Centre has also issued a day-wise forecast for different regions of Bengal.

On July 19, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places across all districts of South Bengal. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph may occur at isolated places in Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, West Burdwan, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts.

On July 20, similar weather conditions are expected, with light to moderate rain and thundershowers likely at many places across South Bengal. Gusty winds accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning may occur at isolated locations in Nadia, Bankura, Purulia, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts.

From July 21, rainfall activity is expected to intensify across South Bengal. Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at most places, with heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm possible at isolated locations in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.

Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 30–40 kmph are also likely at one or two places across all South Bengal districts.

On July 22, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at most places in South Bengal. Heavy rainfall between 7 cm and 11 cm may occur at isolated locations in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Howrah districts.

Thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds reaching 40–50 kmph may occur at isolated locations in South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, while other districts may experience gusty winds of 30–40 kmph.

On July 23, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at most places across South Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7 cm to 11 cm may occur at isolated locations in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram and Bankura districts.

Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph may occur in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts, while other areas may experience winds of 30–40 kmph.

On July 24, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at most places across South Bengal. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph may occur at isolated locations in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts, while the remaining districts may experience winds of 30–40 kmph.

The weather department has advised residents to remain cautious as heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds may affect normal life in several areas over the coming days.