Kolkata Weather: Heavy Rain and High Humidity Disrupt Pre-Puja Plans

Residents of Kolkata and South Bengal are facing a volatile weather cycle as the city prepares for the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. According to forecasts from the Alipore Weather Office, the region is currently navigating a "rain-humidity-rain" pattern driven by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, complicating outdoor activities and the pre-Puja shopping rush.

The 'Arnab' Low-Pressure System and Rain Cycles

The current instability in kolkata weather is linked to a low-pressure system named 'Arnab' (named by Bangladesh), which formed in the North Andaman Sea. While the system is moving toward the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, its presence is triggering significant rainfall across West Bengal.

The weather has followed a distinct cycle over the last week: initial rains and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) persisted through Sunday, September 20, followed by a brief dry spell on Monday and Tuesday (September 21-22). However, heavy rainfall returned on Wednesday, September 23, with intensity increasing through Friday, September 25. In Kolkata specifically, the shift to heavier rainfall began Wednesday afternoon and is expected to continue through Friday noon [1].

Humidity and Regional Alerts

Between rain events, the city has experienced extreme physical discomfort. With relative humidity levels fluctuating between 77% and 97%, the "rain-free" intervals have been characterized by stifling heat and sweat, making the commute difficult for shoppers [2].

Beyond the city center, the Alipore Weather Office issued yellow alerts for heavy rain specifically for the coastal districts of East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas starting September 23. While North Bengal saw an improvement in weather from September 19 to 23, rain was forecast to return to Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri starting Thursday, September 24.

Kolkata Weather Summary (Sept 19–25, 2026)

Period	Expected Condition	Impact/Alert
Sept 19–20	Rain & Gusty Winds	Winds of 30-40 kmph
Sept 21–22	Dry Spell	High humidity (77-97%)
Sept 23–25	Heavy Rainfall	Yellow Alert for Coastal Districts

As the monsoon withdrawal process begins across India, the unpredictable nature of these low-pressure systems remains a challenge for long-term planning. For more on how urban environments affect these patterns, see The Science of बारिश.