The weather forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns in West Bengal, as the chances of a rain-drenched Durga Puja cannot be ruled out. A low-pressure area could form over the north Andaman Sea as early as today (Saturday, September 19), bringing rain.
Durga Puja 2026 will be observed from October 16 to October 20, 2026.
According to the weather forecast, once the low-pressure area forms over the north Andaman Sea, it is likely to move towards the Odisha-Andhra coast. Later, it is expected to move towards Uttar Pradesh, near Bihar.
The low-pressure system could bring torrential rain, and a heavy downpour is reportedly expected in the last week of September. A warning for heavy rain along the coast has been issued from Wednesday, September 23. South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, and Jhargram should also brace for showers on Thursday, September 24.
An IMD statement released on Friday said, "Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning is likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 18th-24th September; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim during 18th-19th September; Gangetic West Bengal during 18th-20th September and during 23rd-24th September; Jharkhand on 24th September; Odisha during 22nd-24th September."
"Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 20th September; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim on 19th September and on 24th September; Gangetic West Bengal during 23rd-24th September; Bihar on 18th September; Odisha during 18th-19th September and on 22nd September with isolated very heavy rainfall also likely over Gangetic West Bengal on 18th September," it further said.
