Kolkata: West Bengal is set for a wet week, with the Regional METeorological Centre (RMC) in Alipore forecasting widespread rainfall across the state over the next seven days.

While South Bengal, including Kolkata, is expected to receive regular spells of rain and thunderstorms, several districts in North Bengal are likely to witness heavy to very heavy showers.

According to the MET Office, the weather pattern has been influenced by the monsoon trough stretching from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to Manipur, along with a cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh and adjoining regions.

Another trough extending from Bihar to Manipur is drawing moisture from the Bay of Bengal, creating favourable conditions for sustained rainfall across the state.

Kolkata is likely to experience intermittent rain and thunderstorms until Tuesday, with gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph.

Similar weather is expected in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Medinipur, Jhargram and Purulia. Heavy rainfall has also been forecast for Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman and Murshidabad on Monday.

Rainfall activity is expected to intensify across south Bengal from Thursday. Heavy showers are likely in Howrah and North 24 Parganas, while South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura have been placed under a heavy rain alert through Saturday.

In North Bengal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday, with wet conditions likely to persist across the region until Tuesday. No fresh advisory has been issued for fishermen.