Heavy Rainfall Over West Bengal-Odisha-Jharkhand: Localised Flooding Likely

Key Takeaways:

• Heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue across Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand for the next three days.
• Multiple cyclonic circulations and the monsoon trough are driving the prolonged spell of rain.
• Localized flooding, waterlogging and inundation of low-lying areas are likely in vulnerable districts.
• Rainfall may ease briefly between August 10 and 12 before becoming active again in the second half of next week.
• Forecast Validity: Next 5 to 7 days.

The southwest monsoon has remained very active over the eastern states of the country. Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, in particular, have witnessed widespread moderate to heavy rainfall over the past few days. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue across West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand for the next three days. Persistent and widespread rainfall may lead to localized flooding, waterlogging and inundation of low-lying areas.

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Multiple weather systems are working in tandem to sustain this prolonged spell of rainfall. A cyclonic circulation persists over North Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal in the lower levels. Another cyclonic circulation is located over Northeast Bangladesh and adjoining areas, while a third circulation is positioned over Northeast Bihar and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal. In addition, the eastern end of the seasonal monsoon trough across the Indo-Gangetic Plains is passing through Jharkhand, Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal. This favorable synoptic pattern is expected to persist for the next three days, supporting widespread and intense monsoon activity over the region.

Under the combined influence of these weather systems, the tri-junction region of Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand is likely to bear the brunt of the rainfall, with heavy to very heavy showers expected at many places. Elsewhere across these states, moderate rainfall will remain widespread, with isolated locations experiencing very heavy spells.

Cities and districts likely to witness intense rainfall include Kolkata, Howrah, Midnapore, Bankura, Burdwan, Digha, Contai, Diamond Harbour, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Baripada, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Deogarh, Bolangir, Dhenkanal, Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Khunti, Gumla and West Singhbhum. The remaining parts of these three states will also continue to experience active monsoon conditions.

A brief reduction in rainfall activity is expected over Odisha and West Bengal between August 10 and 12. However, monsoon conditions are likely to become active once again during the second half of next week.