Kolkata rain alert: IMD forecasts thunderstorms, gusty winds across south Bengal till September 20

Rain affected Kolkata and adjoining places on Friday as the IMD forecast thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds across south Bengal till September 20.

According to the India Meteorological Department, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Andaman Sea on Saturday. It will thereafter move towards south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coasts over the next three to four days.

Rain and thunder occurred over Kolkata and adjoining areas as the IMD forecast a generally cloudy sky over the metropolis, with the possibility of one or two spells of rain till Saturday morning.

It said that gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph will occur over the south Bengal districts.

Heavy rain affects Salt Lake

A heavy spell of rain over Salt Lake near the city on Thursday affected evening commuters heading home due to traffic snarls caused by waterlogged streets.

However, Friday being a state government holiday on account of Biswakarma Puja, there was much less traffic on the roads.

North Bengal to receive rain

The IMD forecast rain and thunderstorms over the north Bengal districts till Saturday, with the possibility of heavy rain at one or two places in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri.

Alipurduar recorded the highest rainfall in the state in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday at 105 mm, the IMD said.

Salt Lake recorded 69 mm of rainfall, while the other places in the state which received significant amounts of rainfall during the period are Jalpaiguri (51 mm), Diamond Harbour (50 mm), Bardhaman (45 mm) and Darjeeling (41 mm), according to IMD data.