Heavy Rain Warning for Kolkata and South Bengal
Listen to the story
A strong low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy rain to parts of West Bengal, India.
Weather officials say Kolkata could see heavy rain throughout the day. The system has become very well marked, which means it is stronger and more likely to cause serious rain.
A red alert has been issued for three districts in South Bengal. A red alert is the highest level of weather warning and tells people to prepare for dangerous conditions.
This heavy rain is arriving near the end of the monsoon season, the period of heavy seasonal rain that affects South Asia every year.
According to the report, this is being described as a second spell, or wave, of monsoon rain. Several districts across the state could see flooding, where water covers roads and low areas.
Meteorologists are watching the low-pressure system closely, as such systems can sometimes turn into larger storms. There is also a general forecast of stormy weather and strong winds for today.
It is not yet clear how many days the bad weather, sometimes called a disaster situation in local reports, will continue. Officials are asking residents in the affected districts to stay alert and follow safety advice.
Vocabulary10 words
- low-pressure area
- an area of weather that can cause strong rain
- red alert
- the highest level warning of danger
- monsoon
- the season of heavy rain in South Asia
- flooding
- water covering land that is usually dry
- forecast
- a prediction about future weather
- disaster
- a very serious and harmful event
- meteorologist
- a scientist who studies weather
- spell
- a short period of a certain kind of weather
- alert
- a warning telling people to be careful
- district
- a smaller administrative area within a state
Quiz
Answer key
1. A strong low-pressure area 2. The highest level of weather warning, telling people to prepare 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A strong _____ has formed over the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy rain to parts of West Bengal.
Weather officials say Kolkata could see heavy rain throughout the _____.
A _____ has been issued for three districts in South Bengal.
This heavy rain is arriving near the end of the _____ season.
Several districts across the state could see _____, where water covers roads and low areas.
Meteorologists are watching the low-pressure system closely, as such systems can sometimes turn into larger _____.
It is not yet clear how many days the bad weather will _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think heavy rain warnings are given different alert colors, like red?
- How does monsoon rain affect daily life in cities like Kolkata?
- What can people do to stay safe during a red alert weather warning?
- Why might weather forecasters find it hard to predict how long bad weather will last?