Depression moves towards Jharkhand as Bengal braces for widespread rain and thunderstorms through August 25

KalimNews, Aug 18, 2026, Kalimpong: A depression over Gangetic West Bengal moved towards Jharkhand on Tuesday, raising hopes of improving weather conditions in Kolkata and adjoining areas after incessant rainfall disrupted normal life a day earlier. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rain and thundershowers across West Bengal, with several districts likely to experience heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds through August 25.

The IMD said the depression moving towards Jharkhand would bring heavy rainfall to the western districts of Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur until Wednesday morning. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are also likely at one or two places across all districts of South Bengal.

Heavy rain in Kolkata and adjoining Salt Lake on Monday resulted in waterlogging on several major thoroughfares and caused traffic disruptions in different parts of the region.

Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman recorded 157 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours up to 8.30 am on Tuesday, the highest rainfall recorded in the state during the period, according to IMD data. Kolkata recorded 59.8 mm, while Salt Lake received 75.7 mm. Suri recorded 114 mm, Medinipur 109.6 mm, Kalaikunda 94 mm, Diamond Harbour 84 mm, Sriniketan 72 mm and Jhargram 74.4 mm.

The weather department said the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri would continue to receive heavy rainfall until the morning of August 25, influenced by an active monsoon trough and significant moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.

For West Bengal as a whole, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph, are also very likely at one or two places across the districts of South Bengal.

During Day 1, valid until 8.30 am on August 19, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of South Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are also very likely at one or two places over all districts of South Bengal.

For Day 2, from 8.30 am on August 19 to 8.30 am on August 20, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at many places across all districts of South Bengal. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are very likely at one or two places over Jhargram, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Kolkata.

During Day 3, from 8.30 am on August 20 to 8.30 am on August 21, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at many places across South Bengal. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are very likely at one or two places over Murshidabad, Birbhum, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.

For Day 4 to Day 5, from 8.30 am on August 21 to 8.30 am on August 23, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at many places over all districts of South Bengal.

During Day 6 to Day 7, from 8.30 am on August 23 to 8.30 am on August 25, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at many places over all districts of South Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas.

North Bengal is also expected to remain under a prolonged spell of unsettled weather.

During Day 1, valid until 8.30 am on August 19, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of North Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are also very likely at one or two places over all districts of North Bengal.

During Day 2, from 8.30 am on August 19 to 8.30 am on August 20, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of North Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are also very likely at one or two places over all districts of North Bengal.

During Day 3, from 8.30 am on August 20 to 8.30 am on August 21, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of North Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, while thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph are also very likely at one or two places across the region.

During Day 4, from 8.30 am on August 21 to 8.30 am on August 22, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of North Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar.

During Day 5, from 8.30 am on August 22 to 8.30 am on August 23, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of North Bengal, with heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm very likely at one or two places over Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.

During Day 6, from 8.30 am on August 23 to 8.30 am on August 24, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at many places over all districts of North Bengal.

During Day 7, from 8.30 am on August 24 to 8.30 am on August 25, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely at most places over all districts of North Bengal. Heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm is very likely at one or two places over Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar.

The forecast indicates that both North and South Bengal will remain under generally wet conditions over the coming week, with periods of heavy rainfall, lightning and gusty winds possible in several districts. Residents and commuters are advised to remain alert to local weather developments, particularly in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and heavy rain.