Written by Adrija Datta
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has forecast heatwave conditions and isolated thunderstorm activity across parts of West Bengal from May 11 to May 13.
According to the bulletin, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at one or two locations in the districts of West Burdwan, Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and Paschim Medinipur. In these areas, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher, which is approximately 5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Additionally, hot and humid weather conditions are expected to affect several other districts across South Bengal. In North Bengal, heatwave conditions are likely in Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur.
In contrast to the heatwave alert, the weather department has also predicted isolated thunderstorm activity over some districts of both sub-Himalayan and Gangetic West Bengal. These thunderstorms are expected to occur due to the combined influence of available atmospheric moisture and the heating effect.
Thunderstorms may be accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, and light to moderate rainfall, read the weather bulletin. The wind speed during these events is likely to range between 30 to 40 kmph and, in some places, may increase to 40 to 50 kmph, it said.
On May 12, very heavy rainfall ranging between 7 cm and 20 cm is likely in the districts of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Additionally, rainfall ranging from 7 cm to 11 cm is expected in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Coochbehar on May 12 and May 13. These rainfall events may bring some respite in parts of North Bengal but will occur alongside ongoing heatwave conditions in adjacent areas.
Humidity levels are also expected to remain high during this period, as per the indication by the meteorological department. The maximum relative humidity in the coastal districts of West Bengal is likely to remain between 80 and 90 per cent, while in the interior districts it may range from 70 to 80 per cent. Minimum relative humidity is predicted to be between 45 to 55 per cent in the coastal belt and between 30 and 40 per cent in the interior regions.
(Adrija Dutta is an intern with The Indian Express)