IMD issues alert as deep depression crosses West Bengal coast

Image for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: AFP

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal crossed the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast on Thursday (May 29, 2025), prompting alerts across coastal regions and warnings to fisherfolk to avoid venturing into the sea for the next five days due to rough conditions.

Several districts of South Bengal witnessed heavy rainfall and overcast skies through the day. Kolkata experienced light to moderate showers, accompanied by strong winds and cooler temperatures.

“The deep depression over Northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts moved nearly northwards with a speed of 22 kmph during past six hours and crossed West Bengal–Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh), close to Raidighi (West Bengal), during 10:30-11:30 hrs IST and lay centred at 11:30 hrs IST of today,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in an official release.

According to the IMD, squally winds with speeds reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, prevailed over the northern Bay of Bengal and along the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts until Thursday evening. The weather is expected to remain unsettled over the coming days.

“We have 48 hours of weather forecast for heavy rains in the State. The government is preparing for any adverse situation. 24x7 disaster control and management is also working. We will also start relief centres if the situation arises. No one should get down in the sea during this time,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall was reported in parts of North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Murshidabad districts. Moderate to heavy rainfall was recorded in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Medinipur, and East Burdwan districts, the IMD stated.

Rainfall led to waterlogging in some parts of southern Bengal. In Bandel, residents staged protests alleging annual flooding due to poor drainage and lack of dredging of local canals.

Meanwhile, the IMD reported further advance of the southwest monsoon into more parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, the remaining areas of the Northeast, some areas of the Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and the entire State of Sikkim as of Thursday.

Weather officials indicated that conditions were favourable for the southwest monsoon to cover West Bengal within the next one to two days.

Published - May 29, 2025 09:06 pm IST