Moderate rainfall in West Bengal

The districts in Gangetic West Bengal on Saturday received light to medium rainfall following Friday's heavy shower that lashed a number of Bengal districts, including Kolkata, officials said.

The coastal region in the state along the Bay of Bengal, has been alerted while the restrictions on fishermen not to venture into the sea continued for the second day running.

Many rivers in south Bengal's Malda, Burdwan and Murshidabad districts looked sullen and have been flowing above the danger level.

The state Irrigation Department said it is keeping an eye on the overall situation in Bengal and the neighbouring states as massive rainfall in Jharkhand might force them to release water from the dams making the situation worse for these Bengal districts.

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather conditions in the state would show improvement as the depression, currently centred over Gangetic West Bengal, is shifting towards Bangladesh.

"Kolkata has received 44.7 mm rainfall till Saturday morning while the adjoining districts have received light to medium intermittent showers. The situation would improve from Sunday as the depression is shifting towards Bangladesh," a Met official said.

Among the Bengal districts, Bankura received the maximum amount of rainfall on Saturday the official said.

An alert has been issued in the state's coastal tourist destinations like Digha, Tajpur and Mandarmani as the sea turned rough with high waves. Tourists were barred from getting into the water.

--IANS

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