Low-pressure system moves towards Jharkhand, western districts of Bengal to get heavy rain
A low-pressure system moving from West Bengal toward Jharkhand is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several districts in the region. The IMD has issued warnings for thunderstorms and gusty winds, following significant waterlogging in Kolkata.
Why it matters
Severe weather events significantly impact urban infrastructure and agricultural activities in the affected Indian states.
A depression over Gangetic West Bengal moved towards Jharkhand on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), kindling hopes of better weather in Kolkata and adjoining areas where incessant rains paralysed normal life a day ago.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the depression moving towards Jharkhand will bring heavy rains in the western districts of Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur till Wednesday morning.
It predicted thunderstorms, accompanied by gusty winds, at one or two places in all south Bengal districts.
Heavy rain in Kolkata and adjoining Salt Lake on Monday (August 17, 2026) caused waterlogging on several thoroughfares, leading to traffic snarls.
Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district received 157 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), the highest in the State, according to IMD data. Kolkata received 59.8 mm of rain and Salt Lake 75.7 mm during the same period.
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