As West Bengal prepares to count votes on Monday, the India Meteorological Department issued an orange warning for heavy rain in several areas. Districts including Kolkata, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas are on alert.
According to IMD, heavy rains are very likely to occur at one or two places over North 24 Parganas, Hooghly and East Burdwan on May 4. In addition, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are also likely to occur in all districts of South Bengal.
Thunderstorms, lightning and light are likely to continue in West Bengal till May 5, she added.
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Orange alert in Kolkata
Orange alert has been issued in all districts except Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur, Darjeeling and Cooch Behar, where yellow alert has been issued.
The stage is set for the counting of votes in the 2026 Assembly elections across four crucial states and one union territory, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Keralam and Puducherry.
The IMD warned that rain and thunderstorms could disrupt daily activities and urged people to take shelter during thunderstorms or lightning. Meanwhile, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 30-33 degrees Celsius.
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The Meteorological Department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off West Bengal and north Odisha coast until May 2.
Among other states holding parliamentary elections, a yellow alert has been issued in Tamil Nadu and parts of Assam and Kerala, warning of light to moderate rain.
Earlier, the IMD said that more western disturbances are expected in May. “We expect more thunderstorms and more thunderstorm activity in May. This is not necessarily linked to the development of El Niño,” said M Mohapatra, Director General, IMD. Average rainfall during May, nationwide as a whole, is likely to be above normal, exceeding 110% of the long-period average.
