A spell of intense heat and humidity is expected to trouble people across West Bengal over the next few days, even as several districts brace for thunderstorms and rain. According to the weather department, changing atmospheric conditions linked to cyclonic circulations over Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, along with a low-pressure trough stretching from Chhattisgarh to Manipur, are pulling large amounts of moisture into the state.
As a result, weather conditions are likely to shift across both South and North Bengal from Wednesday onward.
Kolkata woke up to bright sunshine on Wednesday morning, and the weather department has ruled out any immediate possibility of rain in the city. The sky is expected to remain partly cloudy at times through the day, but the rising temperature and humidity are likely to make conditions increasingly uncomfortable.
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The weather office said residents may continue to experience sultry weather till Sunday.
A hot summer afternoon in Kolkata /ANI On Wednesday, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 26.0 degrees Celsius, which is 0.8 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature stood at 30.8 degrees Celsius, around 4.6 degrees above the seasonal average.
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Thunderstorm warning for South Bengal
Several districts in South Bengal may witness scattered thunderstorms accompanied by lightning between Wednesday and Friday. Gusty winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 60 kmph are also likely in some areas. The possibility of thunderstorms is higher in districts such as Nadia, East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and Jhargram.
/ANI Despite the expected rainfall activity, the weather department has indicated that relief from heat and humidity may remain limited.
Heavy rain alert in North Bengal
North Bengal is also likely to see unstable weather conditions over the next few days. Thunderstorms are expected across all districts on Wednesday, with wind speeds reaching 40 to 50 kmph in some places.
Heavy rainfall has been forecast for Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri. The weather department has also issued special rain alerts for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for Thursday and Friday. Officials said thunderstorm activity is expected to continue across North Bengal during this period as moisture-laden winds remain active over the region.
