Kolkata, South Bengal see temperature dip as rain returns; will Bengal get wet even on vote counting day?

After days of persistent heat, several parts of South Bengal have finally received relief as rain brought temperatures down sharply across districts. Although showers paused briefly on Friday, the cooler conditions largely held. According to the India Meteorological Department, rainfall activity is set to resume from Saturday and intensify further in the coming days.

The weather office has indicated a strong likelihood of heavy rainfall in both Bardhaman districts, along with Birbhum and Murshidabad. Alongside the rain, strong winds are also expected in these regions. Forecasts suggest that rainfall will increase from Sunday onward, with the possibility of continued showers even on May 4, which coincides with the vote-counting day.

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Kolkata sees cooler-than-normal temperatures

Kolkata witnessed a mix of sunshine and passing clouds on Saturday morning. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 22.0 degrees Celsius, which is 4.1 degrees below normal, while the maximum settled at 29.2 degrees Celsius, 6.2 degrees below average. The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall in the city through Saturday and Sunday. While mornings may remain relatively clear, rain activity is expected to pick up later in the day, especially in the afternoon and evening hours.

Rising rainfall activity across South Bengal

Rain is likely across almost all districts of South Bengal on Saturday, with intensity expected to increase from Sunday. Districts such as Bankura, Medinipur and Jhargram may experience strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Thunderstorm activity is expected to persist across the region until at least Tuesday, keeping temperatures in check.

Also Read | Kolkata turns cool overnight as South Bengal gets rain relief amid poll heat — will showers last till counting day?

North Bengal to see extended rain spell

North Bengal is also likely to remain under the influence of rain systems until Wednesday. Districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri may witness strong winds with speeds ranging between 50 and 60 kmph. Meanwhile, North and South Dinajpur, along with Malda, could see moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph.

Overall, the shift in weather patterns has brought widespread relief from the heat, with rainfall expected to continue shaping conditions across both North and South Bengal over the next few days.