Weather Update: Monsoon Advances Rapidly; IMD Issues Major Forecast for Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in South Bengal

West Bengal is expected to experience unstable weather, with thunderstorms and rain forecast in both North and South Bengal through June 5. The Alipore Meteorological Department said no yellow warning has been issued for South Bengal today or tomorrow, but yellow alerts remain in place for North Bengal. In the northern districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, the warning covers the possibility of heavy rain along with gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kmph. Residents have been advised not to take shelter under trees or near electric poles during storms and to avoid contact with water bodies.

The weather office also said conditions are becoming favorable for further advancement of the southwest monsoon around June 4. If the monsoon continues to move forward, it may spread into more parts of the southwest Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and additional areas of the Bay of Bengal, including the southwest, west-central, east-central and northeast regions, as well as the remaining southeastern Bay of Bengal.

For South Bengal, rain is expected today and tomorrow as well. Although the region is not under a yellow alert, meteorologists had already warned of adverse weather until June 5. The forecast suggests that the state may continue to see intermittent showers over the next few days, which could bring some relief from the summer heat.

June is usually associated with intense heat in Bengal, but this year the heatwave situation has not yet become as severe as in some previous years. Last year, heavy rainfall brought down temperatures and broke several recent records. There is now speculation that if rainfall continues this year, it may help prevent an extreme heatwave. However, the weather department has not given any definitive statement on how the temperature pattern will develop in the coming days.

Overall, the main weather concerns for the state are thunderstorms, rain, strong winds and changing conditions linked to the advancing monsoon. North Bengal remains the area under greater risk, while South Bengal is also likely to receive scattered rainfall without a formal warning.