With temperatures soaring significantly above normal, Kolkata and other South Bengal districts are experiencing severe heat, signalling an early and harsh onset of summer, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.
“The people of South Bengal, including Kolkata, are already suffering intense heat,” an IMD official in Alipore said.
The most severe conditions have been forecast for West Bengal’s western districts, including Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia, Jhargram, West Midnapore, and West Burdwan, where the temperatures will likely be five degrees Celsius or more above normal, with heatwave warnings issued for Sunday and Monday.
A yellow alert has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South and North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, East Burdwan, Nadia, and Murshidabad. The maximum temperature in Kolkata and adjoining areas reached 35 degrees Celsius on Sunday, with minimum temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius.
“The weather will remain dry for now,” the IMD official said, “There is no possibility of any rain for the next five days.”
However, a welcome change is expected towards the end of the week. “There is a possibility of rain in Gangetic Bengal, including Kolkata, over the weekend,” the IMD said in a statement. “Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely to occur in South Bengal, including Kolkata, on March 21st. From March 21st till 23rd, light rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at one or two places,” it added.
This rainfall is expected to bring down temperatures to a more manageable 30-31 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds in 13 districts—Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South and North 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, East Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia. “Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are likely to occur at one or two places,” it said, adding that alerts have been sent to all South Bengal districts.
North Bengal is experiencing varied weather conditions. “Light rain with thundershowers is likely in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in North Bengal on Sunday,” the IMD said, issuing a yellow alert for these districts.
Rain is also expected in Alipurduar on Sunday and in Siliguri over the weekend.
Mainly clear sky
Maximum and minimum temperature most likely to be around 35˚C and 27˚C, respectively.
Maximum temperature 33.7˚C (+0.1)
Minimum temperature 26.5˚C (+3.9)
Maximum relative humidity 89%
Minimum relative humidity 60%