KOLKATA: In a marked departure from the intense heat, the maximum temperature dropped to 37.2°C on Saturday as southerly winds started blowing into the city. The dip in mercury is a clear indication that heatwave conditions have started loosening its grip, preparing the ground for the year’s first nor’wester within 48 hours.
The increasing intensity of cool southerly winds from the Bay of Bengal on Friday demonstrated that moisture incursions from the Bay have started making inroads into coastal south Bengal, creating favourable conditions for rainfall between May 5 and May 10 in the region.“Kolkata is likely to get its first rain on Monday. But from Sunday, we may see scattered showers in parts of south Bengal. By Sunday, the rain is likely to cover 50% to 75% of south Bengal. Between Monday to Wednesday, the region is likely to get its heaviest showers before reducing in intensity over three days,” said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) head Somenath Dutta.
Districts like Murshidabad and Birbhum may see as much as 70mm to 110mm of rainfall during the peak of the rainy week while winds are likely to gust up to 50-60kmph across south Bengal. Although Kolkata is likely to receive less rainfall compared to its neighbouring districts, the mercury is likely to start plunging several notches from Monday, and remain comfortably below the normal mark for most of next week.
Sunday’s forecast consists of a cocktail of both heatwave warnings as well as thunderstorm warnings for south Bengal, marking the transition to post-heatwave conditions. While hot and humid conditions are likely to continue for another day in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Purulia, North 24 Pargana, South 24 Pargana, Nadia, Murshidabad and East Midnapore, a yellow thunderstorm warning has also been simultaneously placed in the two 24 Pargana and two Midnapore districts. “While the heatwave advisory of taking precaution is still relevant this weekend, people must also start taking precaution against thunderstorm activity. One must avoid standing under trees, electric poles or loose infrastructure. Fishermen are also advised to avoid venturing into the sea on May 7 and 8,” added Dutta.
Between Sunday and Monday, the skies are likely to be partly cloudy after a two week period of scorching sun. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be close to 37°C and 29°C, respectively.