Kolkata, Aug 2 : The Meteorological Office on Sunday predicted heavy rain in North Bengal till August 5 and light to moderate rain in South Bengal for the next few days. According to a Met Department official, a low-pressure area and an active southwest monsoon axis are located in the southeast of Rajasthan, due to which moisture is entering the state from the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in several districts of North Bengal till Wednesday (August 5).

Five districts, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, may receive 7 to 20 centimetres of rainfall. Heavy rainfall is also predicted in North Dinajpur district for a few days. Heavy rainfall is likely in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts on Thursday (August 6). There is a possibility of scattered rain in all districts of North Bengal on Friday (August 7).

Meanwhile, favourable rain conditions will also continue in South Bengal. There is a possibility of thunderstorms with gusty winds in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Murshidabad and Birbhum districts in the next few days starting this day. Officials stated that gusty winds could reach speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour.

On Monday, a warning of heavy rain has been issued in North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad districts. At the same time, there is a possibility of rain with thunderstorms in all districts of South Bengal. On Wednesday, heavy rain may occur in Birbhum, Murshidabad and East Burdwan districts.

On the other hand, on Friday (August 7), the Met Office has predicted heavy rain in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia districts.

The maximum temperature in Kolkata and its surrounding areas on Saturday was 32.07 degrees Celsius, which is 00.02 degrees higher than normal. The minimum temperature was 28 degrees Celsius, 01.04 degrees higher than normal. The relative humidity was a maximum of 94 per cent and a minimum of 71 per cent.

/IANS