Archive · 9 Oct 2026
IMD Forecasts Rain During Early Durga Puja Celebrations in Bengal
The weather department expects some rain in parts of south Bengal during the first days of Durga Puja.
Light to moderate showers may fall from October 15 to 17.
A few places could also get light rain or thunderstorms on October 18 and 19.
The department expects mostly dry weather on October 20 and 21.
Rain might affect the decorated pandals and the artwork displayed there.
It could also make it harder for people to visit pandals and celebrate together.
Organisers have been preparing for months and hope the rain will not spoil the festivities.
The India Meteorological Department forecast light to moderate rain at a few places in south Bengal from October 15 to 17.
Light rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places on Saptami and Ashtami, October 18 and 19.
Mainly dry weather is expected across south Bengal on Navami and Dashami, October 20 and 21.
Rain could affect pandals, their artworks and festival activities, including pandal-hopping.
A community Puja organiser in south Kolkata said preparations had been underway for months and hoped rain would not disrupt the festival.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department issued the forecast; Durga Puja organisers and visitors could be affected.
- What
- Rain is forecast during the early days of Durga Puja in south Bengal, followed by mainly dry weather on October 20 and 21.
- When
- October 15 to 21; the forecast was reported on October 9, with no year specified.
- Where
- South Bengal, including Kolkata, in West Bengal.
- Why
- Not stated.
- Forecast period
- October 15–21; the year is not specified.
- October 15–17
- Light to moderate rain is likely at a few places.
- October 18–19
- Light rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places in south Bengal.
- October 20–21
- Mainly dry weather is expected across south Bengal.
- Festival dates mentioned
- Shasti falls on October 17; Saptami and Ashtami on October 18 and 19; Navami and Dashami on October 20 and 21.
- Potential effects
- Rain could affect pandal artwork, pandal-hopping and celebrations.