Cyclone Montha Set to Lash West Bengal with Heavy Rains

The severe cyclonic storm Montha is anticipated to unleash heavy rains across several districts in West Bengal until October 31, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announcement on Tuesday.

Currently positioned over the westcentral Bay of Bengal, Montha is progressing in a north-northwestward direction and expected to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday night, a special IMD bulletin revealed.

The Met Office has strongly warned fishermen against venturing into the sea along the West Bengal coast until Thursday.

Heavy rainfall is anticipated in various south Bengal districts, including North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, and Murshidabad, between Tuesday and Friday, the Met Office detailed.

Additionally, one or two areas within the sub-Himalayan districts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar may experience significant rainfall measuring between 7 to 20 cm on Friday, according to predictions.

After making landfall, Montha is projected to gradually weaken into a well-marked low pressure by Thursday. It is expected to inflict heavy rains, measuring between 7 to 12 cm, across all districts of north Bengal, including Malda and both Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur on Thursday and Friday, informed the IMD.

Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds with speeds of 30 to 40 kmph could also impact Kolkata and the surrounding districts of Howrah and Hooghly until Friday, as forecasted by the Met.