The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for moderate rain and thundersquall with lightning and gusty winds of up to 50-60 kmph in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly and East Burdwan in West Bengal on Monday. Almost all districts in south Bengal may experience light to moderate rain and thunderstorms with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph from Monday.

Light to moderate rain with thunder is also likely in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, East Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia.

According to a statement from the weather office, “Heavy rain (7-11 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places of Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia on Monday… No large change in day temperature during next 24 hours and thereafter gradual fall by 4-6°C in subsequent 3 days over West Bengal.”

A ‘yellow’ alert for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph has been issued in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda for the entire week.

The IMD said on Sunday, “Due to squally weather with maximum wind speed reaching 45- 55 kmph likely to prevail along and off West Bengal coast…sea condition likely to be rough to very rough,” and advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from Monday to Wednesday.

On Sunday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius during the daytime with maximum humidity at 88 per cent. The sky remained partly cloudy. Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind (40-50 kmph) are likely from Monday.

Meanwhile, the highest maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was in Kalaikunda at 43.5 degrees Celsius, while Panagarh and Jhargram recorded 41 degrees Celsius, and Asansol Barrackpore and Purulia touched 40 degrees Celsius.