Heavy Rains Expected in Bengal Due to Cyclone Wifa: Forecast of Heavy Rainfall, Renewed Flood Risk

Heavy Rains Expected in Bengal Due to Cyclone Wifa: Forecast of Heavy Rainfall, Renewed Flood Risk

Cyclone Wifa, originating from the West Pacific Ocean, is currently positioned as a deep depression over the Indochina region. This system is moving west-northwest along the monsoon trough and is expected to enter the Northeast Bay of Bengal as a low-pressure area or cyclonic circulation via the Myanmar coast within the next 24-36 hours. Due to its influence, there is a strong possibility of a low-pressure area forming in the Northeast Bay of Bengal around Thursday, July 24th.

As this system is receiving support from MJO (Madden-Julian Oscillation) and other favorable environmental conditions, it could intensify into a deep depression within 24-48 hours after forming into a low-pressure area. It is estimated that it may cross the West Bengal coast between July 25th and 26th, i.e., Friday and Saturday. Being a monsoon system, most of its cloud mass will be tilted towards the south and southwest, a phenomenon known as 'tilt' in meteorology.

Under the influence of this upcoming system, heavy rainfall with gusty winds is expected in the coastal areas of South Bengal from July 24th to 26th (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). The districts most affected by the low-pressure system will be South 24 Parganas, East Medinipur, West Medinipur, and Jhargram. Alongside these, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly districts are likely to experience heavy rain with occasional gusty winds. The remaining districts of South Bengal are forecast to receive light to moderate and scattered heavy showers.

Since the system could intensify into a deep depression, gusty winds ranging from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour are possible. The sea in the coastal areas is expected to be very rough, therefore fishermen have been advised not to venture into the deep sea.

This deep depression is likely to cause waterlogging and flood-like situations in the coastal and western districts of South Bengal. If the low-pressure system tilts a bit more towards the northwest, the Damodar Valley could also come under the grip of heavy rainfall, raising the apprehension of renewed floods.