West Bengal Heavy Rain Alert Issues Orange Warnings for Multiple Districts

India's Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an extensive heavy‑rain alert for West Bengal. Orange (high‑severity) warnings were announced for several districts in northern Bengal, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and parts of North and South 24 Parganas, while yellow alerts cover much of the southern and coastal districts. The capital Kolkata and much of southern Bengal face a 95 % chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain from Friday through the weekend, with wind gusts of 30‑40 km/h and potential sea conditions of 50‑60 km/h, prompting a ban on fishing in offshore waters. The IMD warned of possible landslides in mountainous areas and rising river levels, urging residents to avoid open areas during lightning and to exercise caution on flooded roads. Authorities recommend carrying rain gear, limiting travel during peak showers, and following local instructions in affected districts.