IMD issues orange, red alerts across Bengal as heavy rain raises landslide risk

West Bengal is set for another intense spell of monsoon rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing orange and red alerts across several districts amid warnings of thunderstorms, gusty winds, landslides, and possible flash floods.

While South Bengal is expected to witness an increase in rainfall from Tuesday onwards, North Bengal continues to remain under a red alert as relentless showers batter the Himalayan foothills and adjoining plains.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for six South Bengal districts on Sunday: Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad, where thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph are likely.

The remaining districts, including Kolkata, are also expected to receive light to moderate rain with thunderstorms. The state capital is likely to witness partly cloudy skies over the next few days with intermittent spells of rain.

According to the weather office, a monsoon trough extending from Rajasthan to Bihar through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, coupled with a strong inflow of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, is driving the current weather activity over the state.

The interaction of these systems is expected to intensify rainfall across both North and South Bengal during the coming week.

Rainfall activity is expected to become more widespread in South Bengal from Tuesday.

Heavy rain has been forecast in Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad, while strong winds of 50 to 60 kmph may accompany thunderstorms in these districts.

On Wednesday, the focus of heavy rainfall is expected to shift towards Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia.

Thunderstorms and light to moderate rain are likely to continue across most districts until Thursday, when a yellow alert will remain in force over large parts of South Bengal.

In North Bengal, the situation remains more severe. A red alert has been issued for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, where rainfall may exceed 200 mm in a single day.

Uttar Dinajpur is under an orange alert, while Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda are also expected to experience heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The IMD has warned that persistent rainfall could trigger landslides in the Darjeeling hills, inundate low-lying areas and raise water levels in mountain rivers above the danger mark.

The red alert will continue until Monday, followed by an orange alert on Tuesday. A yellow alert for heavy rainfall will remain in place across North Bengal from Wednesday to Friday.

Heavy rain has already disrupted neighbouring Sikkim, where floodwaters washed away a Bailey bridge, cutting off the Dzongu Valley in North Sikkim. Authorities have also reported swollen mountain rivers between Phidang and Sankalang.

Meanwhile, the impact of heavy rainfall in Bhutan is being felt in the Dooars region of North Bengal.

Overflowing water from the Hatinala stream inundated large parts of Banarhat after crossing the danger level in the early hours of Sunday.

Although water levels began receding after rainfall eased, district authorities have launched public announcements in vulnerable areas and opened temporary relief camps to prepare for any flood-like situation.