Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds that go up to 30-40 kmph are likely at several places in southern Bengal from Sunday, including North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia. From Monday, almost all districts are expecting thunderstorms. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature in West Bengal is likely to fall gradually by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next four to five days.
In a release on Friday, the IMD said, “Due to squally weather with maximum wind speed reaching 45- 55 kmph likely to prevail along and off West Bengal coast during 06th May (Monday) to 07th May (Tuesday), sea condition likely to be rough to very rough. Fisherman are advised not to venture into the sea during 6th to 7th May.”
On Friday, Kolkata recorded a temperature of 39.2 degrees Celsius during the day with maximum humidity at 89 per cent. The sky remained partly cloudy. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are likely from Monday.
The weather department had earlier issued an ‘orange’ alert for heatwave in eight districts including Jhargram, West Midnapore, Bankura, West Burdwan, East Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia on Friday. It may now be reduced to a ‘yellow’ alert which is likely to prevail till Sunday.
From Sunday, light rainfall is expected in East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia. Almost all districts in south Bengal are likely to experience light to moderate rain and thunderstorms with winds going up to 40-50 mph from Monday and it is expected to continue for days.
Meanwhile, the highest maximum temperature recorded on Friday was 44.6 degrees Celsius in Kalaikunda, followed by Panagarh (42.9 degrees), Midnapore (42.5), Krishnanagar (41), Purulia (42.5), and Bankura and Burdwan (both 41.5).
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar continued to experience light to moderate rainfall which is likely to linger. From Monday, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 mph are expected in these places. A ‘yellow’ alert for heatwave has been issued in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.