KOLKATA: A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to bring widespread rainfall across several districts of south Bengal over the next few days, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata said on Sunday.

According to the Met Office, the low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over south Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh. The system is likely to intensify further over the next two to three days. The monsoon trough, extending from Rajasthan through Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to the Bay of Bengal coast, is also contributing to the prevailing weather conditions.

However, heavy rain is unlikely in Kolkata. Scattered rain with thunderstorms and lightning may occur in the city on Sunday and Monday, with wind speed at 30 to 40 km per hour. However, there is a possibility of heavy rain in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura districts for the next two days.

Scattered rain will be accompanied by gusty winds in almost all districts of West Bengal. At some places, wind speed may go up to 40 to 50 km per hour. The Met department has warned of thunderstorms in south Bengal, while scattered rains will continue from Tuesday onwards.

"The sea is rough due to the influence of a low-pressure area. Gusty winds are blowing at a speed of 35 to 45 km per hour over the sea. As a result, fishermen have been prohibited from going to the sea till Monday. After that, the situation will return to normal," said the Met official.

Meanwhile, rain will continue in north Bengal as well. There is a heavy rain warning in Darjeeling from Tuesday to Thursday. Heavy rain will continue in Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong districts from Monday to next Saturday.

Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts are also likely to receive scattered heavy rains from Tuesday onwards. The Met office has issued a yellow alert in all these districts. Although scattered rains are continuing in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda districts, there are no weather warnings for now.

Kolkata's minimum temperature on Sunday morning was 26.5 degrees Celsius, 0.2 degrees below normal. The city's maximum temperature on Saturday was 29.6 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees below normal.

--IANS

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