Deep Depression To Weaken Gradually Over Bay Of Bengal; Kolkata, Odisha Districts On Orange Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday had alerted that a depression formed over the Bay of Bengal had intensified into a deep depression, and is likely to continue to move nearly northwards and cross West Bengal–Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by afternoon May 29, leading to heavy rainfall in parts of the state.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for several districts in South Bengal, including Kolkata, advising the people to brace for heavy rainfall.

With the depression turning into a deep depression, IMD had stated that its future path will be carefully studied to see if it intensifies into a cyclonic storm. But as per the latest update, it is unlikely to intensify into a cyclonic storm. IMD stated that the deep depression crossed the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara at 11:30 IST on May 29. It is likely to move north-northeastwards till evening and weaken gradually into a depression thereafter.

IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal and along & off the Odisha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh coasts till May 30 as the sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough over north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal and along & off Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts during this period.

According to the latest weather bulletin by the IMD, an orange alert has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, East Bardhaman, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly and East Midnapore from 8:30 a.m. on May 29 to 8:30 a.m. on May 30. The districts are likely to see "heavy rain (07-11cm) with very heavy rain (12-20cm)" at one or two places. This will be downgraded to a yellow alert on May 30-31.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Purulia, West Midnapore, Bankura, Jhargram, West Bardhaman and Birbhum from May 29 to May 31.

The region is likely to see light to moderate rain/thunderstorms over the next week. Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to prevail over Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and Murshidabad on May 29. Strong surface wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph may be present over the rest of Gangetic West Bengal on May 29.

No large change in maximum temperature has been predicted during the next five days over Gangetic West Bengal.

As per the IMD, the sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough over the north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal as well as along and off the coast of Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh till May 30. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas.

The weather agency has also suggested that movement of traffic may be regulated judiciously during thunderstorm activity. It has advised people to take shelter in safe places during thunderstorms.

Note: This story is getting updated basis the latest information shared by IMD.