Kolkata

The India Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds across districts of south West Bengal on Saturday, coinciding with the swearing-in ceremony of the state’s first BJP government at the Brigade Parade Ground.

The oath-taking event is scheduled to take place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Met office, favourable wind conditions combined with strong moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal are expected to trigger rain and thundershowers across the region through May 14.

For Kolkata, the IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers on Saturday.

Districts likely to experience more intense weather activity, including thunderstorms, lightning and wind speeds of 50 to 60 kmph, include Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman.

In the remaining districts of south Bengal, wind speeds are expected to range between 40 and 50 kmph.

The weather office has also forecast heavy rainfall in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar on May 13 and 14.

IMD data showed Kolkata received 49 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, the highest in the state during the period.

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Other places that recorded notable rainfall included Asansol with 18.4 mm, Uluberia with 14.6 mm, Dum Dum with 13.5 mm, and Bardhaman with 13.2 mm.