Kolkata weather today: Rain, thunderstorms to lash 'City of Joy' and other Bengal districts on polling day, IMD issues yellow alert

As 142 constituencies in West Bengal go to polls on April 29, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across the state, including Kolkata. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Kolkata today and there has been warning of thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, strong surface winds in the forenoon. "During afternoon - Thunderstorm accompanied with Lightning, Strong Surface Winds, During evening - Thunderstorm accompanied with Lightning, Strong Surface Winds," the IMD forecast said.

Kolkata and many of its neighbouring regions received rainfall on the polling day. People were still seen coming out of their homes and voting in large numbers.

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Kolkata weather today

According to the IMD, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Purba Bardhaman are likely to witness light to moderate rain or thundershowers from morning till late evening. All these places are going to polls today and the IMD forecast suggests intermittent showers could coincide with polling hours in several constituencies. Kolkata and Howrah may face intermittent rain spells with cloudy skies throughout the day.

For Kolkata, an orange alert has been issued for today, Wednesday, with predictions of rain, thundershowers with strong gusty winds reaching up to 40-50 kmph. The rain and thunderstorms could temporarily disrupt polling queues and local transport, as intermittent rain and thunderstorms could influence voter turnout and polling logistics.
Voters stepping out today are advised to carry umbrellas, stay hydrated and avoid taking shelter under trees or near electric poles during lightning.

Heavy rainfall in Hooghly, West Mednipore

Heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kmph is likely parts of Hooghly and West Midnapore, raising the possibility of brief waterlogging in low-lying areas. The forecast also points to a gradual fall in maximum temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next two days.

East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, and Murshidabad are likely to receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places. In North Bengal, all districts, including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda, are expected to see light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places.

Coastal areas may see more frequent showers and occasional lightning in North and South 24 Parganas, where temperatures are likely to stay around 30–32°C.
Similar rainy conditions are expected across most parts of Nadia district, with temperatures hovering between 31°C and 33°C.

With rain and thunderstorms predicted across Bengal districts, the IMD has urged people to avoid open areas during lightning strikes, plan travel, carry umbrellas while heading to polling booths and stay alert for gusty winds during thunderstorms.