Rain showers takeover: South Bengal & Kolkata brace for weekend downpour; get your umbrellas ready

The Meteorological Department's forecast predicts rainy days ahead for South Bengal, including Kolkata, as the region is expected to experience rainfall until the upcoming weekend. This announcement came through an official statement released on Thursday. Notably, Kolkata's minimum temperature was measured at 27.6 degrees Celsius, indicating a deviation of one degree above the usual range. Correspondingly, the maximum temperature also registered at 33.3 degrees Celsius, maintaining a one-degree excess from the normal reading.

Over the past few days, cloud-covered skies have been prominent across Kolkata and other regions in the state, such as Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Jhargram. In these areas, weather patterns indicate that rainfall is set to intensify, with the prediction of more showers continuing until Saturday.

While the southern parts of Bengal brace for the forthcoming rainy days, North Bengal has been experiencing persistent rains in areas like Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong. The situation here is compounded by the rising water levels in rivers, which have resulted in flood-like conditions. 

Looking ahead, the Meteorological Department's extended forecast anticipates ongoing precipitation throughout the remainder of August. As such, residents and authorities are advised to remain cautious and prepared for potentially heavy and consistent rainfall in the coming days.