Kolkata: West Bengal is on high alert over the possibility of floods as a deep depression near the coastal town of Digha, in the southern tip of West Bengal, has brought heavy rainfall in all southern districts of the state, including in the capital, Kolkata.

“A deep depression near Digha will cause heavy rain in most south Bengal districts, including Kolkata,” regional Meteorological Director G.C. Debnath said. “The deep depression will cause heavy to very heavy rain in the next two days in Odisha and Jharkhand as well,” Debnath added.

The depression, which has the possibility of turning into a cyclonic storm, travelled from the South China Sea and is now threatening to flood the districts and bring severe rainfall to Jharkhand and Odisha, giving rise to the possibility of floods in districts such as Burdwan and Bakura.

“The biggest risk of flooding is from the heavy rainfall that may occur in Jharkhand and as the water flows downward, it may flood several districts in its wake,” said a senior officer of the state irrigation department.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sounded off an alert, and officials are closely monitoring the situation even as the fear of embankments collapsing becomes very real. “Most of the rivers are flowing close to the danger mark and in districts like Sundarbans the embankments are being closely monitored. Even local people are working to prevent the embankments from collapsing along with state government agencies,” the officer added.

With the meteorological department sounding grave, the districts are on high-alert as state disaster management teams are preparing for the eventuality of floods. “We are fully prepared with tents, boats and dry rations in case of flooding so that we can rescue people at the earliest,” said an officer of the state relief disaster management team.

The government has already cancelled the leave of senior officials, as senior ministers have flown to various district headquarters to monitor the situation. “All the coastal districts are on alert and we are prepared for any eventuality,” said state minister Subrata Mukherjee.

Last year, the state witnessed severe floods during this time of the year, and Banerjee is unwilling to face the natural disaster unprepared. “Last time we were little unprepared. But this time we are all set to face the eventuality,” said the district magistrate of South 24 Parganas, PB Salim.

Fishermen living on the coastal belt have been warned not to venture into the sea. Even the search and rescue operation for fishermen that went missing on August 8 has been suspended for the time being. Until now bodies of eight missing fishermen have been recovered and three people have been rescued.