South Bengal has been witnessing a sudden spike in temperature as April started on a sweltering note. Several districts across Bengal have record temperatures close to 40 C, with discomfort rising high due to humidity levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the heat is likely to intensify further in the coming days. The combination of rising temperatures and moisture in the air is making conditions particularly uncomfortable for people stepping outdoors.
Kolkata woke up to intense sunshine on Saturday, with the heat already affecting daily life. The minimum temperature was recorded at 27.6 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature reached 36.0 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above the usual level. According to the weather department, there is no chance of rainfall in the city until Saturday. However, some relief may be in sight as scattered rain is expected to begin from Sunday.
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Dry spell to continue in South Bengal for now
For the next couple of days, South Bengal is expected to experience mostly clear skies, though partly cloudy conditions may occur at times. With no rainfall predicted until Saturday, the heat is likely to become more intense. A shift in weather conditions is expected from Sunday. Forecasts suggest that most districts in South Bengal may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning between Sunday and Tuesday. Nor’westers are also likely in districts such as Jhargram, West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura and West Bardhaman.
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North Bengal may also see temperature rise
North Bengal is not spared either, with temperatures expected to increase by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Dry weather conditions are likely to persist on Friday and Saturday. From Sunday onwards, districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri may witness scattered thunderstorms. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are also expected during this period.
Will rain bring real relief?
Rain and thunderstorms can provide some respite, the magnitude of relief from the heat and humidity is still unknown. Residents will have to wait a little longer before they can breathe easy.
