Rain and Thunderstorms Bring Relief from Heat in South Bengal; Kolkata Temperature Drops Below 20°C
Kolkata (West Bengal) : Heavy rain and thunderstorms since Monday night brought major relief from the scorching heat across Kolkata and several districts of South Bengal. The city’s temperature dropped below 20°C on Monday night, significantly lower than normal. However, high atmospheric humidity is still causing discomfort due to sultry conditions.
According to the Meteorological Department, thunderstorms and rain are expected to continue across many districts of South Bengal on Tuesday. Some areas may also experience squalls (Kalbaisakhi) and hailstorms. The department forecasts that rain and thunderstorms will persist across most South Bengal districts from Wednesday to Friday, with light to moderate rainfall expected in Kolkata and both western and eastern parts of the state.
Meanwhile, almost all districts in North Bengal are also likely to receive rain and thunderstorms today. Though rainfall intensity may decrease slightly from Wednesday, it is expected to pick up again with thunder and lightning on Friday. Rain is likely in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri districts from Wednesday. Strong storms and heavy rain are forecast from Darjeeling to Malda on Friday, with wind speeds reaching 40 to 50 km/h.
High waves are expected along the coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal. As a precaution, fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea for the next few days.
On Tuesday, Kolkata recorded a maximum daytime temperature of 33.8°C, while the minimum dipped to 19.2°C. Humidity levels ranged from 51% to 96%. As the day progresses, both heat and humidity are likely to increase. Thunderstorms and evening showers are expected to continue through Friday, with Wednesday and Friday likely to witness more intense storm activity.
The Met Department also stated that no major temperature changes are expected in Bengal in the coming days. Weather changes are being influenced by cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and northeast Assam, as well as over northern Bangladesh and the Comorin region. Additionally, a fresh western disturbance is set to impact the hilly regions of northwest India on Friday, which could also affect Bengal’s weather.