Kolkata witnessed a sharp change in weather on Thursday morning. While the day began with mild sunshine, the sky soon turned dark, followed by spells of rain and gusty winds. According to observations, the minimum temperature settled at 21.3C, which is 3.9C below normal, while the maximum reached 31.0C, 4.2C below normal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that Kolkata is likely to experience spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds throughout the day. A yellow alert has been issued, warning of thundersqualls with wind speeds reaching 30–40 kmph.
IMD forecast and weather system
In a press release dated April 8, the IMD stated, "Due to favourable wind pattern and strong moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal, enhanced thunderstorm activity very likely to occur over some districts of West Bengal during 08-09th April, 2026."
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The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata attributed the conditions to an east–west trough extending from northwest Uttar Pradesh to Manipur, along with an upper air cyclonic circulation over Chhattisgarh. Additionally, a trough stretching from Gangetic West Bengal to the Gulf of Mannar and strong moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal are intensifying the weather activity.
Impact across South and North Bengal
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue across South Bengal until Friday. Districts including East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Nadia are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and winds of 30–40 kmph.
In North Bengal, there will be moderate rain and thunder showers in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds that blow at a speed of 50 kilometres per hour are expected to strike in isolated places. There is a heavy rain warning in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri.
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Weather conditions are expected to improve in South Bengal from April 10 onwards, with rainfall becoming more isolated. Dry weather is likely between April 11 and April 12. Temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 4–6C over the next few days, increasing humidity-related discomfort.
IMD has warned of possible lightning, damage to temporary shelters, falling trees, and disruption of electricity and telephone lines due to thunderstorms. It has been suggested to citizens that they should stay inside during thunderstorms and not go near trees and water bodies.
Fishermen have been instructed not to go out to sea in the coastal areas of West Bengal and northern Odisha for the next 24 hours due to strong winds blowing at a speed of 60 km per hour.
