A low-pressure system that developed over the Bay of Bengal has intensified and is expected to bring widespread rainfall to eastern India over the weekend, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Friday.

The weather office warned that rain will coincide with Durga Puja festivities, beginning with Sasthi on Sunday. Thunderstorms and moderate to heavy showers are likely across Kolkata, North and South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Midnapore and Jhargram. The system, which became more organised Friday morning, is projected to strengthen further and move westward, forecasters said. It is likely to become a depression within the next 24 hours and make landfall Saturday morning near the south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast

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