IMD issues heavy rainfall alert for West Bengal and Odisha, snowfall expected in Jammu and Kashmir

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded the alarm, predicting heavy rainfall and issuing an alert for the southern districts of West Bengal and north-coastal Odisha. The weather department forecasts rains from November 15 to November 17 in east India and northeast India, with a likelihood of snowfall and light rains in northern Jammu and Kashmir region.

"A low-pressure area has formed over the west-central Bay of Bengal. This system will intensify and move northwards, bringing potential rain from November 15th to 17th in east and northeast India," stated Soma Sen, a senior scientist with Indian Meteorological Department, in a conversation with news gathering agency ANI.

Sen further noted, "There is a possibility of very heavy rains in the southern districts of West Bengal and districts of north-coastal Odisha. An alert has been issued for these areas. Additionally, a weak western disturbance is approaching, and there may be snowfall and light rains in Northern Jammu and Kashmir region."

On Tuesday, November 14, Indian Meteorological Department had already issued a warning for fishermen along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast due to a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal, expected to intensify into a depression.

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MD Sunanda from Indian Meteorological Department Visakhapatnam highlighted, "A low-pressure area formed over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands on November 14th. It is likely to move west-north-westwards and intensify into a depression over the West-Central Bay of Bengal on November 15th."

Sunanda continued, "Thereafter, it would move north-westwards and may intensify into a deep depression over the West-Central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 16. Subsequently, it would recurve north-northeastward and reach the northwest bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast on November 17. Due to this system, we are expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall activity over some parts of Odisha, especially coastal Odisha."

IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea from November 15 to November 17 until further notice. (with inputs from ANI)