India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials issued a red alert (take action) for a severe heatwave in six southern districts in West Bengal: North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Jhargram, West Midnapore, Bankura and East Burdwan. The heatwave is expected to continue until Sunday.

An orange alert has also been issued in several districts. According to a meteorological official, the temperature is expected to gradually rise by 2-4 degrees in the next three days. Dry weather is likely to prevail in the southern districts of Bengal throughout this week.

The maximum temperature at Panagarh, Asansol, Midnapore, Bankura, Haldia, Canning, Barrackpore and Burdwan is hovering around 41 degrees Celsius.

It has been observed that Darjeeling is currently experiencing much cooler temperatures than Kolkata. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature in Darjeeling was recorded at 23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was 14 degrees Celsius. Kalimpong recorded a maximum temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, Cooch Behar 36.4 degrees Celsius, Jalpaiguri 37 degrees Celsius, Alipurduar 35 degrees Celsius, and Malda 41 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has forecast a gradual increase in the day temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next three days. Light to moderate rainfall was observed in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. Met officials have issued an orange alert, which means to prepare, for severe heatwave conditions in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda, which is expected to continue this week.