Kolkata and several other districts in southern West Bengal experienced heavy rainfall and thunderstorms Thursday morning. The skies over Kolkata have been overcast since morning. The IMD has issued an orange alert for South Bengal, warning of continued thunderstorms and the possibility of hail and thundershowers throughout the day. Scattered rain is also expected in North Bengal.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms across South Bengal, including Kolkata, until Sunday. Wind speeds in Kolkata, East Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas are expected to reach 30 to 40 kmph. While the current weather pattern is expected to persist through the weekend, the weather office has indicated a change starting Monday.
Further details from the IMD’s report indicate that rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in some districts of South Bengal from February 19 to 20 and again from February 22 to 23. A trough extending from Gangetic West Bengal to Telangana, combined with strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, is a key cause behind this weather. The forecast includes the possibility of hailstorms and gusty winds in some areas.
On February 20, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are predicted through the day in Purulia, West Midnapore, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, and Hooghly. Kolkata, East Midnapore, Howrah, and South 24 Parganas may experience thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph).
For February 22, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are predicted in East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Jhargram, West Midnapore, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and Nadia. Other South Bengal districts will likely see thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph).
East Midnapore, West Midnapore, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas are again expected to have thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) on February 24, with lighter rain in other South Bengal districts.
The weather office has warned of potential damage to mature rabi crops and vegetables, as well as unsecured thatched houses. Officials also caution about the possibility of lightning strikes, especially in open fields. Farmers are advised to harvest mature crops and vegetables and store them in dry, safe locations.
For Kolkata specifically, the local forecast for the next 24 hours (valid until midday on February 20) predicts a generally cloudy sky with rain, thunderstorms, and strong gusty winds (40-50 kmph). The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 27 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees C, respectively. Light rain or snow is also possible in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, with shallow to moderate fog in the mornings. Light to moderate rain or snow is expected in Sikkim.