Written by Anisha Ghosh
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued orange alert for several districts in North Bengal, including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Kalimpong as they are likely to experience heavy rainfall upto 20 cm.
The weather department has forecast moderate rainfall and moderate thunderstorms and lightning in Coochbehar, North Dinajpur and all the districts in South Bengal.
IMD has predicted generally cloudy sky with chances of light to moderate rain or thundershowers in some areas of Kolkata in the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature in the capital city is expected to be around is 33°C, with the minimum around 27°C. Humidity levels remain high, with maximum relative humidity at 100 per cent and minimum at 76 per cent.
South Bengal on Saturday experienced a warm weather. The highest temperature was recorded in Bagdogra at 37.1°C, followed by Raiganj at 35.9°C, Jalpaiguri at 35.5°C, and Malda at 35.2°C. In contrast, the coolest place in North Bengal was Darjeeling, where the minimum temperature dropped to 18°C, followed by Kalimpong at 20.5°C, Alipurduar at 24.0°C, and Balurghat at 25.9°C.
The monsoon trough at mean sea level now passes through the centre of depression over northwest and adjoining areas of northeast Rajasthan, Fatehgarh, Muzaffarpur, Bankura,Contai and thence east southeastwards to northeast Bay of Bengal.
A trough runs from central parts of north Bihar to Odisha across Jharkhand at 0.9 km above mean sea level. A fresh low pressure area is likely to form over north Bay of Bengal around July 24, IMD stated.
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Residents have been advised to remain indoors during thunderstorm activity, avoid movement in water-logged areas and keep domestic animals in a safe place. IMD has also suggested not to use fertiliser and pesticides as it may wash out, increasing the possibility of causing damage to horticulture and standing crops and vegetables in the field.
(Anisha Ghosh is an intern with The Indian Express)