Kolkata residents should prepare for a wet Durga Puja season in 2025, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain and thunderstorms in the days leading up to the festival. The IMD forecasts generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and thundershowers until October 2.

The forecast comes as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring moisture into Gangetic Bengal. A low-pressure trough is expected to move towards the northwest Bay, and another system is likely to form around September 25, potentially intensifying into a depression by September 26.

Specifically, the IMD has issued the following forecasts:

• September 24: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain/thundershower. Thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 50 kmph are expected over South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.
• September 25-26: Rain is expected at many places with thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 50 kmph.
• September 27 (Panchami): Light to moderate rain is likely at many places.
• September 28 to October 1 (Sashthi to Navami): Intermittent rain is expected throughout the heart of the Durga Puja celebrations. One or two days could see multiple spells of showers, potentially disrupting evening pandal hopping.
• October 2: Light to moderate rain/thundershower very likely to occur with possibility of a few spells of light to moderate rain / thundershower towards the end of the period.
• Early October (Dashami): The wet weather is expected to continue.

The IMD has advised residents to stay alert and follow daily weather updates, carry umbrellas, and plan their pandal trips accordingly. They have also warned of the possibility of waterlogging, traffic disruption, and lightning strikes, advising people to avoid open spaces and weak structures. Fishermen have been told not to venture into the North Bay of Bengal until September 27, as the seas will be rough.

Despite the forecast for rain, Kolkata is expected to remain warm and humid, with maximum temperatures ranging from 29°C to 33°C and minimum temperatures between 25°C and 28°C. The cloudy skies may offer some relief from the September sun.