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**Headline: Durga Puja Relief? New Low Pressure System Less Likely to Drench Kolkata, But South Bengal Still Faces Rain**
**Kolkata, October 20, 2023:** After a bright start to Chaturthi, hopes are rising that the worst of the pre-Durga Puja low pressure system may be averted for Kolkata and surrounding areas. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirms that a low pressure area is expected to intensify today, forecasts suggest its impact on West Bengal will be less severe than initially feared.
According to Alipore Meteorological Office sources, the system will likely remain further south, concentrating near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast. “The previous low pressure system passed very close to the West Bengal coast, resulting in heavy rainfall,” explained an official. “This new system is predicted to track further south, near the Odisha coast, minimizing its direct impact on our state.”
The IMD predicts the low pressure area will concentrate into a low pressure on Friday, positioned over the northwest Bay of Bengal near the coasts of South Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. It is expected to make landfall over Odisha-Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning, bringing heavy rainfall to those states.
However, Kolkata and southern districts aren’t entirely out of the woods. A rain alert remains in place until Saptami, with South 24 Parganas, East Medinipur, Jhargram, and West Medinipur expected to experience scattered rainfall. A gradual decrease in rainfall is anticipated after that.
Today’s forecast for Kolkata includes a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius. The city and most of South Bengal can expect thunderstorms with light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph. South 24 Parganas district, in particular, is likely to experience heavy rainfall today.
A yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, East Medinipur, and West Medinipur on Saturday (Panchami). Howrah and Kolkata are also expected to experience thunderstorms with rain. The remaining nine districts of South Bengal are predicted to receive light to moderate rainfall.
While the forecast offers a glimmer of hope for a less rain-soaked Puja, residents are advised to stay updated on weather reports and take necessary precautions.
First Piper 