IMD Predicts Rain During Durga Puja in Barak Valley: Will Festivities Be Hindered?

Durga Puja, the most important festival for Bengalis, is just around the corner, and Barak Valley is preparing to celebrate with great enthusiasm. The four-day-long festival, known for its vibrant festivities and beautifully decorated pandals, sees people adorning new clothes and engaging in pandal hopping. However, this year, weather predictions by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggest that rain might dampen the celebrations.

According to IMD’s forecast, Silchar and nearby areas can expect a generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers from 5 to 8 October. As the celebrations are set to begin on 8 October. Further, the forecast shows that rain or thundershowers are likely to continue on 9 and 10 October. 9 October, Saptami, the festival’s first major day, may see rain or thunderstorms, potentially affecting pandal hopping and outdoor events.

A team of *Barak Bulletin* recently spoke to residents of Silchar about their plans for Durga Puja, and most expressed excitement about visiting the grandeur of Udharbond’s pandals. The people are looking forward to participating in the traditional celebrations, but the predicted weather poses a concern.

In the case of Karimganj, as per the prediction the rainfall over the five-day period from 6 to 10 October, there might be few spells of rain totalling 32 mm, shows a moderate level of precipitation. This amount of rainfall may have a significant impact, particularly on outdoor activities, especially during Durga Puja.

The weather forecast for Hailakandi shows a similar pattern to that of Silchar, with rain expected during the Durga Puja celebrations. Like in Silchar, Hailakandi is predicted to have light rain from 5 to 8 October, with the chance of heavier rain or thunderstorms on 9 and 10 October. This means that people in the entire Barak Valley may face wet conditions during the festival, which could impact outdoor activities and pandal hopping.

While a light spell of rain may not deter the festive spirit, as the people of Barak Valley are known for their extra zeal during Durga Puja, thunderstorms could bring significant disruptions. Whether the forecast turns out to be accurate remains to be seen, but it would be wise for celebrants to stay prepared and plan accordingly.

For now, the hope is that the weather will be favourable, allowing the community to enjoy the festival to the fullest. However, should the rain or thunderstorms come, residents are advised to remain aware of the forecast and adjust their plans to ensure a safe and enjoyable Puja celebration.