While rain has been forecast for Friday, heatwave conditions are still possible in seven districts: West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, and Birbhum. This heatwave is expected to persist until Saturday.
There is a silver lining, though. The weather office has predicted gusty winds and thundershowers in these affected districts during the afternoons. Additionally, the Alipore weather office has said there’s no chance of a heatwave anywhere in the state after Saturday. The summer discomfort is expected to subside from Sunday onwards, with thunderstorms becoming more widespread.
Prediction for north Bengal
Meanwhile, the IMD said heavy rains will continue in north Bengal. The weather department has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rain in the five districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. A red alert has been issued in these districts. Rain will continue in these districts till next Tuesday.
The northern districts have been receiving heavy rain for the past few days. There is also a possibility of flooding. The heavy rain has caused landslides too in some places. Tourists are stuck in Sikkim. Teesta water is gradually increasing.
Rain, heatwave prediction for rest of West Bengal
As on Friday, heatwave warnings continued in three western districts — Purulia, West Burdwan, West Medinipur districts — and the same will continue till Saturday afternoon.
Mild heatwave or similar conditions will prevail in Jhargram and Bankura districts. Extreme uncomfortable sweaty weather will prevail over Hooghly, East Burdwan, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts. The rest of the districts will also experience hot and uncomfortable weather till Saturday, the IMD said.
After June 15, the heatwave condition is likely to subside.
Changes from Friday afternoon
As per the weather office, changes will be witnessed from Friday afternoon. Several districts of South Bengal will see thunderstorms, the weather office said. During the rain, gusty winds will blow at a speed of 30 km to 40 km. “Rain will increase slightly on Saturday and Sunday i.e. June 15 and 16. All the districts of South Bengal are likely to have rain in some areas with wind speed reaching 40 km to 50 km,” said an official.
As per the IMD, all the districts of South Bengal will receive more rain on Monday and Tuesday i.e. June 17 and 18. Light to moderate rain with thundershowers over almost all parts of South Bengal districts are expected.
When will monsoon enter south Bengal
As per the weather office, so far there are no favourable conditions for the advancement of monsoon in South Bengal. The Alipore meteorological office informed that it will be possible to predict the arrival of monsoon in the southern parts of the state only if favourable conditions are created.
As things stand so far, there is little chance of monsoon rain in south Bengal till Thursday. Day and night temperatures will be 2-3 degrees above normal in all districts of south Bengal from Friday to next Thursday, the weather office said.
During this period, rain will be less than normal in South Bengal. In the next week i.e. June 21 to June 27, the temperature will drop slightly. The amount of rain will increase too.
The Kolkata sky will be partially cloudy. The movement of clouds in the sky will increase on Friday and Saturday.