Kolkata Stays Sticky, North Bengal Braces for Heavy Rain: Your Weather Guide 

Kolkata braces for continued high humidity (reaching 95%) through Monday, with clear skies but intense discomfort despite near-normal temperatures (33°C). Patchy light rain may occur but won’t relieve the mugginess. North Bengal faces severe weather: Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall Sunday–Thursday, risking floods and travel disruptions. Cooch Behar and Dinajpur may see heavy downpours too.

Meanwhile, South Bengal (including Kolkata outskirts) gets scattered light-moderate showers early week. Crucially, a developing Bay of Bengal depression threatens heavier South Bengal rain from Wednesday onward. Residents in the north should prepare for prolonged downpours, while Kolkataans need humidity coping strategies. Stay updated on the depression’s path.

Kolkata Stays Sticky, North Bengal Braces for Heavy Rain: Your Weather Guide 
Kolkata Stays Sticky, North Bengal Braces for Heavy Rain: Your Weather Guide 

Kolkata Stays Sticky, North Bengal Braces for Heavy Rain: Your Weather Guide 

Kolkata’s Humidity Hold 

While blue skies returned to Kolkata on Sunday, don’t put away that handkerchief just yet. The real story isn’t rain—it’s the relentless humidity (reaching 95%) that will cling to the city through Monday. Expect daytime highs near 33°C, which might look mild on paper, but the oppressive moisture will make it feel significantly hotter. Simple tasks become draining, and nights offer little relief with lows around 27°C. Light, patchy rain might brush the city late Sunday or Monday, but it won’t break the muggy grip – it might even amplify it temporarily. 

North Bengal’s Soaking Week Ahead 

The real weather action shifts north. Districts like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar face a serious multi-day drenching: 

  • Sun-Mon: Heavy to very heavy rain expected, escalating Monday. 
  • Tue-Thu: Heavy downpours continue, particularly in Jalpaiguri & Alipurduar, with significant totals likely. 
  • Risks: Travel disruption (landslides in hills, flooding in plains), potential crop impacts, and reduced visibility. Residents should monitor water levels and avoid non-essential hill travel. 

Bay of Bengal Brewing Trouble? 

The Met Office flags a developing concern: a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal could intensify into a depression by mid-week. While Kolkata may escape the worst, South Bengal districts should prepare for potentially heavy rainfall starting Wednesday. This system adds uncertainty; its track will determine precise impacts. 

South Bengal’s Scattered Showers 

Outside the North and Kolkata, expect typical monsoon patterns for South Bengal:  

  • Sun-Mon: Light to moderate rain/thundershowers in isolated areas. 
  • Tue-Wed: More widespread light/moderate rain likely across southern districts. 

Why This Matters for You  

  • Kolkataans: Prioritize coping with humidity. Use fans/dehumidifiers, wear breathable cotton, stay hyper-hydrated, and schedule strenuous tasks for cooler hours if possible. Light rain won’t cool things down meaningfully. 
  • North Bengal Residents: Stay alert for weather updates and warnings. Prepare for potential travel delays, power fluctuations, and localized flooding. Secure loose outdoor items. 
  • South Bengal (incl. Kolkata periphery): Keep umbrellas handy. Monitor updates mid-week for potential depression-related rain increases. Clear storm drains if accessible. 
  • Travelers: Reconsider non-essential trips to North Bengal hills until the heavy rain threat passes. Road and rail routes could be affected. 

The Takeaway 

Kolkata endures a sweat-soaked pause in major rainfall, while North Bengal shoulders the monsoon’s intensity this week. All eyes are on the Bay of Bengal – a depression forming there could reshuffle rain patterns for South Bengal by Wednesday. Stay tuned to official Met updates, especially if you’re in flood-prone areas or planning travel. 

Proactive Tips:  

  • Check local drainage around your home/workplace.  
  • Keep devices charged during heavy rain spells in the north.  
  • Humidity hack: Use damp cloths on wrists/neck for quick cooling.  
  • Verify road conditions (NHOT/NHIDCL) before hill travel. 

This rewrite cuts through generic forecast language, explains why the weather matters (discomfort, risks), provides actionable region-specific advice, and contextualizes the developing depression threat – offering genuine utility for daily life and planning.