Kolkata July 27 (IANS) With the prediction of heavy rainfall in 15 districts over Gangetic West Bengal including Kolkata the state government put the districts on high alert on Friday.
In a communication to the District Magistrates Principal Secretary Disaster Management and Civil Defence Dushyant Nariala said the high alert should be maintained till Sunday.
The missive from Nabanna the seat of the state government followed India Meteorological Department s heavy rainfall warning is "for next 2 to 3 days" in Kolkata and the 15 districts including North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas Howrah Hooghly East Midnapur West Midnapur and Jhargram.
The IMD alert also mentioned ABirbhum Nadia Bankura Murshidabad Purulia East Bardhaman and West Bardhaman districts.
"The high alert should be maintained from today till Sunday i.e. July 29 " said Nariala.
Besides Nariala directed that preventive measures be taken in all the districts in view of high tide due to full moon and lunar activity on Friday.
Kolkata witnessed a cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers throughout the day. On the other hand Asansol in West Burdwan was almost flooded with overnight rain causing immense trouble for the residents.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall (07-20 cm) with lightning likely to occur at one or two places over Purulia Bankura Birbhum West Burdwan districts of Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand " mentioned weather updates of the Met office.
Till 8.30 a.m. the city recorded 26.6 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours and the relative humidity was 90 per cent.
Rainfall throughout the day brought down the mercury with the maximum temperature recorded at 27.8 degrees Celsius five notches below the season s average. The minimum temperature hovered around 26.3 degrees Celsius.

--IANS bnd/ssp/vd