Kolkata, June 20 (IANS) The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Alipore on Saturday forecast rain in Kolkata and across West Bengal till Monday, with a likelihood of showers during the International Yoga Day event on Sunday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the Yoga Day programme at Red Road in Kolkata on Sunday, with preparatory work underway and the stretch closed to traffic. The Met office, however, said there is no forecast of heavy rain in Kolkata till Sunday afternoon, with only light rain expected during this period.

The event is likely to see a good number of participants.

According to the MET office, the southwest monsoon axis, extending from Punjab to Bihar through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, remains active. At the same time, moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal are entering the state, creating favourable conditions for rain and thundershowers in several districts over the next few days.

“Heavy to very heavy rains are likely in some districts of South Bengal. There is a possibility of thunder showers and gusty winds. On the other hand, there is a possibility of very heavy to very heavy rains in some districts of north Bengal. A landslide warning has also been issued,” said an official at RMC.

The state has already recorded widespread rainfall over the past 24 hours, with heavy showers likely to persist in north Bengal for the next three days before gradually easing.

“South Bengal, including Kolkata, will also receive rain today and tomorrow, Sunday. However, the intensity will gradually decrease. There is a high possibility of rain from morning to afternoon. However, there is no possibility of heavy rain till Sunday afternoon. Till then, there is a possibility of only light rain,” said the official.

The RMC has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rains in the upper five districts of north Bengal. Among them, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts have been given the highest warning. If there is heavy rain, there is a possibility of landslides in the Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature in Kolkata and its surrounding areas on Friday was 29 degrees Celsius, 4.08 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 24.6 degrees Celsius, 2.04 degrees below normal. The rainfall in the last 24 hours was 50.8 millimetres.

–IANS

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