How Cyclone Montha is expected to hit West Bengal: Heavy rain this week

The Regional Meteorological Centre forecasts light rains with thunderstorms for south Bengal districts of Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Medinipur on October 27. Residents are advised to prepare for potential heavy showers towards the end of the week.

The weather office has warned districts of potential dangers, advising preparedness for lightning strikes, waterlogging, and minor crop damage as the system’s remnants affect weather. The IMD cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea, as wind speeds are likely to strengthen to 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph by Monday evening.

Distant Cautionary Signal No 1 has been hoisted at Kolkata and Haldia ports, and Sectional Signal No 5 at Sagar Island. Along and off the West Bengal coast, wind speeds of 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph are expected from October 28 to 30, with rough to very rough sea conditions.

Coastal police stations in South 24 Parganas began public announcements on Sunday morning instructing trawlers to return by Monday evening. The district administration has also opened control rooms at the sub-divisional and block levels and instructed every block to stock adequate relief materials.

As per the IMD, north Bengal is set to experience increased rainfall activity from October 29 onwards as the cyclone moves inland. The state agriculture department has advised farmers to quickly harvest and store ripe paddy.