At 41.6°C, Kolkata gets hottest April day in 44 years
Times of India | 26 April 2024
KOLKATA: At 41.6°C, the city on Thursday witnessed the hottest April day in 44 years and the second hottest in the last 50 years. The only April day in the last 50 years when the maximum temperature was higher than that of Thursday was on April 25, 1980, when the maximum had touched 41.7°C.
"Currently, Kolkata is in the midst of a 10-day heatwave. On five occasions, the maximum temperature has breached the 40°C mark.The April 1980 heatwave was considerably shorter in comparison," said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) scientist Sourish Bandyopadhyay.
On Thursday, the Met office issued two bulletins, stating that heatwave conditions are likely to persist over Kolkata and the rest of south Bengal till at least April 29. There is no rain on the radar till at least May 2. "With no imminent weather systems forming and no change in wind patterns, the conditions are in place for the maximum temperature to increase even further, possibly up to 42°C in the next few days," added Bandyopadhyay.
In recent years, the highest temperature recorded in April was 41°C last year and 41.3°C in 2016. The 100-year Met office data shows the highest April temperature in Kolkata is 43.3°C, which was recorded on April 2, 1905.
In the last 24 years, both April 2009 and 2016 had the most number of days - eight - with over 40°C maximum temperature. This was followed by 2023. which had five such days. Bandyopadhyay said that having crossed the five-day mark already this year, there are high chances of the 40°C-mark being breached on several more days and even crossing over to May, making it the longest April heatwave since at least 2000.
The Met office has issued a red alert in the south Bengal districts of East Midnapore, West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Bankura and Jhargram. Prolonged exposure to the sun may trigger heat-related illnesses, especially for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions, doctors have warned. They have advised against outdoor activities between 11am and 4pm.
Meanwhile, Kolkata's maximum temperature may increase by another half a notch by Friday while the minimum temperature may rise marginally to 29°C. The real-feel temperature is likely to be close to 45°C.
On Thursday, Kalaikunda in West Midnapore recorded the highest temperature in the state, at 44°C. At 43.2°C, Panagarh in West Burdwan was the second hottest. Kolkata's neighbouring station at Diamond Harbour recorded 42.3°C. The Met office has predicted that the maximum temperature may increase by one-three notches in south Bengal districts over the next three days.