West Bengal is bracing for a spell of severe weather, with the IMD forecasting hailstorms, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall across several districts until Saturday.
“Thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by gusty wind (30-40kmph) and light to moderate rain are likely to affect parts of Birbhum, Purulia, and Paschim Bardhaman,” read a statement issued by the weather office.
On Thursday and Friday, the districts of Jhargram, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Hooghly are expected to experience hailstorms accompanied by wind at a speed of 50 to 60 kmph. East Burdwan and Howrah will likely see thunderstorms and rain, while the remaining districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, can anticipate thunderstorms with wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph and light to moderate rainfall.
The turbulent weather has prompted warnings for fishermen, with a prohibition against venturing into the sea until Friday due to potentially rough conditions caused by strong winds.
The unsettled weather pattern is expected to continue into Saturday, with rain, thunder, and even hail predicted for Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia, and East Burdwan. Purba Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas will also experience thunderstorms and rain, while other districts will see slightly lower wind speeds.
“North Bengal is also set to experience similar weather conditions, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning expected across all districts on Friday and Saturday. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are anticipated, with potentially higher speeds in Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, and Dakshin Dinajpur,” said a weather official.
The meteorological department attributes the impending weather to a favorable wind pattern and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal at lower tropospheric levels, creating ideal conditions for thunderstorms with lightning and strong gusty surface winds from March 20 to 22.
Also, the anticipated arrival of the Kalbaishakhi, a pre-monsoon thunderstorm, is expected to bring relief from the recent spell of intense heat.
In Kolkata, Wednesday saw a maximum temperature of 33.9 degrees Celsius, and a minimum temperature of 24.2 degrees Celsius. The city experienced high humidity levels, reaching a maximum of 91 percent. Today, Thursday, the sky is partly cloudy, with thunderstorms and showers expected in the afternoon or evening. The maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to be around 34 degrees and 26 degrees Celsius respectively, the IMD said.