IMD forecasts extremely heavy rain in north Bengal, warns of landslides

Kolkata: The IMD on Friday forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the sub-Himalayan districts of West Bengal over the weekend and warned of possible landslides in the hill districts and inundation of low-lying areas in the northern plains.

The weather office said though a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal had gradually weakened, the conditions were expected to trigger intense rainfall in north Bengal.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy downpour at one or two places, is likely in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on July 18 and 19. Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Behar are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during the period.


Heavy to very heavy rain is likely across all the sub-Himalayan districts on July 20, after which the intensity of rainfall is expected to decrease, it said.

The IMD warned of possible landslides in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong and inundation of low-lying areas in the plains of north Bengal.

The southern districts of the state, including Kolkata, will receive light to moderate rain till July 22, the Met office said.

Toorsa tea garden in Alipurduar recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 5 cm in the 24 hours up to 8.30 am on Friday, according to IMD data.

Other places that received significant rainfall include Saraswatipur tea estate (4 cm) in Jalpaiguri, Rongo (3 cm) in Kalimpong, Baintgoorie tea estate (3 cm) in Jalpaiguri and Beech tea garden (3 cm) in Alipurduar, it said.